GRAMMAR REVIEW 102: PUNCTUATION: PERIODS

Some of my friends would say that punctuation rules limit their creative freedom, while others (at least) see it the opposite. The rules actually don't block your creative minds, instead they set it free! They allow you to tell your story or express your thoughts clearly, creatively and persuasively. 

Let's see how to use punctuation in a way that lets your stories sparkle and and your creativity soar.

PERIODS. 

1. Use a period at the end of the complete sentence.

    This rule is mighty easy.

2. Use periods (decimal points) with money and percentages.

     P120.50          21.99%

3. Use periods after people's initial names.

    My English teacher is Mr. A. M. Duping.

4. Use periods in some abbreviations.

     a. Many uppercase and lowercase abbreviations still use a period

         Jan. (January), Mon. (Monday), Tues. (Tuesday), Gov. (Governor), Sen. (Senator), Pres. (President), Mrs.,  Ph. D., M.D., Ave., St., Rd., lbs., oz., cm., min., ft., U. S. A., U. K., lat., long., misc., i.e (Latin abbreviation meaning "in other words"), e.g. (Latin abbreviation meaning "for example"), B.C., (before Christ), Inc. (Incorporated).

     b. When all the letters are capital letters, periods are usually not used. 

          States: LA, NY, MA

          Agencies, companies and organizations: NBI, CIA, FBI, DOH, DPWH

          Tests: OLSAT, NSAT, NEAT, IQ, EQ

           Radio and Television stations: DZRH, ABS-CBN, GMA, CNN, ESPN

           Medical Terms: AIDS, PMS

           Directions: NE, SE, SW

      c. Some other common abbreviations don't use periods.

          UFO (unidentified flying object)

          DST (daylight savings time)

          mph (miles per hour)

          Hg (mercury)

          Hz (hertz)

GRAMMAR REVIEW 101: On my day VS. In my day

Someone asked me on which expressions is better to use? On my day or in my day? I felt aback. I wanted to say " I'm not a dictionary."... I am not Merriam... but I ended mumbling, 'I'll found it out."

First of all, it's hard to help someone with this problem without understanding on the context in which the phrase/s will be used. Colloquially, the phrase "in my day", means "back when I was young and everything was done as it should be as opposed to now when everything is done incorrectly. Example. In my day, people always stopped on whatever they were doing to pray when the bell of the church rang at 6:00  in the early evening.

In contrary, the  "on my day" phrase implies a birthday or some special occasions. Example: On my day, I want simple celebrations.

Since we haven't absorbed yet the semantic system of the English language, it is always best to take risks and communicate. If I may add, none of us will ever master the complete complexity and beauty of any language (bisan pa ang akong native tongue).

If this is right, then why?

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one goose, two geese
Then why shouldn't we say one moose, two meese?

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one die, two dice
Then why shouldn't we say one pie, two pice
And one lie, to lice.

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one mouse, two mice
Then why shouldn't we say one spouse, two spice

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one cherub, two cherubim
Then why shouldn't we say one bathtub, two bathtubim

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one foot, two feet
Then why shouldn't we say one root, two reet
And one boot, two beet

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one man, two men
Then why shouldn't we say one pan, two pen
And one fan, two fen
And one can, two cen

IF THIS IS RIGHT: one tooth, two teeth
Then why shouldn't we say one telephone booth, two telephone beeth.

IF THIS IS RIGHT: I write it just for fun.