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Is there any difference? 1. Woman without man, is nothing 2. woman without, man is nothing

the sentences above are slightly in literary form. what is your opinion about the above sentences, does punctuation really matter this much?

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Question added by Deleted user
Date Posted: 2014/08/07
Deleted user
by Deleted user

In these two examples punctuation is EVERYTHING! Whether there is any truth in the sentiment of the first sentence is a matter of conjecture but it's literal meaning is that a woman on her own has no significance. The second sentence means nothing, in fact if you really wanted to be "picky" you could say that the comma separates two statements, the first saying that the woman is "outside" (without) and the second saying that the man doesn't amount to anything (nothing)!!!!

anayat bukhari
by anayat bukhari , Researcher, English Content Writer, Publisher , Noor Foundation

Punctuations are very important and a careless use of these can lead to a disaster. A very common example of it is often presented by teachers to new learners.

* Sit, don't stand.

* Sit don't, stand.

* Sit don't stand.

First sentence is a command to sit. Second sentence orders to stand. Third sentence is ambiguous.

The two forms of a sentence given in the question have the same situation and they literally have meanings opposite to each other.

Allah knows the best.

 

Nicholas Poshayi
by Nicholas Poshayi , Teacher/Librarian/Academic Teacher , Brooke Bond School

The1st is properly punctuatedand meaningful.The2nd l can't make sense of it.

Hakim Mouloudji
by Hakim Mouloudji , Operations T&D Team Leader , Sonatrach/BP/Statoil JV

Yes, of course. It's all about punctuation:

The first statement means that  it's the  woman that is worthless (or nothing) and cannot stand without a man by her side, whereas the second means the opposite; i.e. men cannot live without a women. Just like James Brown's old song goes: " This is a man's world....but it would be nothing,  without a woamn or a girl".

 

More funny grammar ressources can be found in the attached link of BBC website:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic/punctuation

Ismi Puji Hastuti
by Ismi Puji Hastuti , English Teacher , SMK Widya Taruna

(only) Comma bring about opposite meaning, although both had all same words. Punctuation take roles of significancy very much based on above example.

Shagufta Zafar
by Shagufta Zafar , Principal , Allied School

PUNCTUATION ; IS ALWAYS VITAL FOR ANY LANGUAGE,,,,, AGREED 

zafar abbas minhas
by zafar abbas minhas , Freelance Writer , DAILY MASHRAQ

THANX MR.LEHGARI,,, NO THING TO ADD,, M HERE TO LEARN FROM HONOURABLE TEACHERS,,, PUNCTUATION IN WRITING IS AS IMPORTANT LIKE PAUSE IN VERBAL COMMUNICATION............... LIKE REST IN BUSY DAY,,,LOLZ   GOOD LUCK 

joeffrey dones
by joeffrey dones , Database Support Analyst 2 , IMS HEalth

I would agree again with Peter :) Proper punctutation is really important!

The1st sentence is correct, it implies that a woman is worthless if a man does not exist.

While the second sentence does not mean anything (ambiguous) the only thing clear is "man is nothing" 

syed zahid syed zahid
by syed zahid syed zahid , F&B Supervisorin , CHUNG-PA CHINESE RESTAURANT

yes in first there is a comma after man and in second one the comma is after without

Menerva Melad
by Menerva Melad , Account Executive, Key Accounts , Graphic Home Company

Punctuations are very important

Ofcourse Punctuation is very important

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