We all have those little things that just grind our gears, right? Maybe it’s someone chewing loudly, or perhaps it’s slow walkers in the fast lane. But as content creators and language enthusiasts, there’s a special category of pet peeves that hits a little closer to home: punctuation.
Yes, punctuation. Those tiny marks that can dramatically alter the meaning of a sentence, or simply make you cringe when misused. I’ll admit it, I have a punctuation vice. Ellipses… I overuse them. I know it. I should be ashamed, but honestly, I’m not. There’s something about those three little dots that just feels right in casual online communication. Maybe too right.
But while I’m confessing my ellipsis addiction, let’s be honest, there are far worse punctuation sins out there. And that brings us to the burning question: what’s a pet peeve of yours when it comes to punctuation?
Inspired by National Punctuation Day, we asked our grammatically-minded community at Spin Sucks this very question, and the responses were… passionate. It turns out, we’re not alone in our punctuation frustrations!
Punctuation Pet Peeve Question: What's a punctuation mistake that bothers you? Share your grammar pet peeves.
Diving into Punctuation Pet Peeves: What Bugs Us Most?
From misplaced marks to outright punctuation anarchy, here are some of the top punctuation pet peeves that drive writers and readers alike up the wall:
The Case of the Closing Quotation Marks
Sean Stickle gets straight to a stylistic sticking point:
My punctuation pet peeve—I do not like punctuation inside the closing quotation mark. For example:
He said the wolf was “vicious,” and suggested that it be tamed.
It should be:
He said the wolf was “vicious”, and suggested that it be tamed.
This is a classic style debate! While both styles are technically “correct” depending on the style guide (think American vs. British English), consistency is key. Sean’s pet peeve highlights how even subtle stylistic choices can become major distractions for some.
The Oxford Comma Debate: To Be or Not To Be?
Christopher Penn weighs in on a perpetually debated punctuation mark:
#TeamOxfordComma
Ah, the Oxford Comma, also known as the serial comma! This little comma before “and” or “or” in a list of three or more items is a point of contention for many. While grammatically optional in some style guides, its absence can sometimes lead to ambiguity (and heated arguments among grammar enthusiasts).
Apostrophe Catastrophes: When Possession Gets Possessive
Paula Kiger points out a very common and easily avoidable error:
Unnecessary apostrophes. (Such as “apple’s for sale at a produce stand.)*
The misuse of apostrophes, especially in plurals, is a widespread pet peeve. “Apple’s” vs. “apples,” “it’s” vs. “its” – these little marks of possession and contraction often cause confusion and grammatical pain.
Exclamation Point Overload: Are You Really That Excited?
Lisa Barnett expresses exasperation with over-enthusiasm in writing:
How about the overuse of exclamation marks! Why does everything have to end with it! If the text is good enough then you don’t need!
The exclamation mark is a powerful tool for conveying excitement and emphasis. However, like any powerful tool, overuse diminishes its impact. In professional writing, especially, restraint with exclamation points is often advised.
Consistency is King: Pick a Style and Stick to It!
Martin Waxman highlights the importance of stylistic consistency:
Aside from typos and spelling errors, the one thing that bugs me most is inconsistency. I’m fine if you want to write in all lower case. (I know, I’ll probably hear a few comments about that.) But don’t accidentally slip in a capital at the beginning of a sentence just because Microsoft auto-corrected you.*
Also, there are different styles and rules depending on where you’re from. For instance, Canadian Press says headlines should be in sentence case, while AP’s rule for headlines is title case. It doesn’t matter to me which you choose. Just pick one and stick to it.
Martin’s point is crucial. Whether it’s capitalization, headline style, or comma usage, choosing a style guide and adhering to it throughout your writing is essential for professionalism and clarity.
Random Capitalization: A Jarring Distraction
Laura Stewart echoes the sentiment about consistency and calls out another capitalization quirk:
My other pet peeve is the random capitalization of words. So jarring.*
Random capitalization, often seen in informal online writing, can be incredibly distracting and unprofessional. Proper capitalization is a fundamental aspect of clear and readable writing.
The Perils of “Unnecessary Quotation Marks”
Kimberly Crossland shines a light on a punctuation mark used in a very peculiar way:
The unnecessary use of “quotation marks” drives me up the wall. Also, ending every sentence with an ellipsis is confusing and leaves me hanging …*
Quotation marks are for direct quotes or to indicate irony or skepticism. Using them for emphasis or in place of italics can be confusing and, as Kimberly points out, quite irritating.
Punctuation Policing: The Wrong “Right” Mark
Chris Williams shares a frustratingly meta pet peeve:
My punctuation pet peeve is people telling me to use the wrong punctuation mark after I’ve used the right one.*
This one speaks to the subjective nature of punctuation and style. Sometimes, what one person considers “wrong” is perfectly acceptable (or even preferred) in another context or style guide.
Punctuation Amnesia in Messaging: Texts and the Missing Mark
Joanna Rice laments the lack of punctuation in digital messaging:
My punctuation pet peeve is improper use of punctuation outside of quotation marks. My other pet peeve is the absence of punctuation in messaging (usually texts). Don’t people know that dictation recognizes punctuation? Argh!*
In the fast-paced world of texting, punctuation often takes a backseat. However, as Joanna points out, even in informal communication, punctuation aids clarity and can prevent misinterpretations.
What Punctuation Pet Peeve Will You Confess?
So, after delving into these punctuation peeves, we circle back to you. What’s a pet peeve of yours? Is it one of the above, or do you have a unique punctuation frustration that keeps you up at night?
Share your punctuation pet peeves in the comments below! Let’s commiserate and celebrate the importance (and sometimes the frustrations) of those little marks that shape our written language. And who knows, maybe by airing our grievances, we can all become a little more punctuation-conscious in our own writing.
