Wednesday, August 29

Fun Riddle















Punctuate the following so it makes sense:
"That that is is that that is not is not is not that it it is."

14 comments:

c.l.beyer said...

Woohoo! I think I got it!

"That that is is. That that is not is not. Is not that it? It is."

Is not that it?

Luke said...

*grin* I was guessing you'd be the first to comment.

You're really close...you forgot some commas. :-)

Luke said...

I think you did anyway...I'm kinda hesitant to correct you in the department of punctuation... :-)

c.l.beyer said...

In my grammar handbook, there is a "rule" that says "Use a comma to prevent confusion," as in "That that is, is. :) It says "If two words in a row echo each other, a comma may be needed for ease of reading."

However, I disagree. ;) Commas are not generally used between the subject and predicate in a sentence, and I don't believe they should be added merely to indicate a pause in speech.

(End of grammar lecture. Students may now leave class and agree that the teacher has no idea what she's talking about.)

Luke said...

"a comma may be used for ease of reading"...

You're more about letting the reader sweat it out huh? *grin* Fair enough. I put commas in my solution.

c.l.beyer said...

Well, the whole thing is when _I_ read a sentence with a comma in a place like that, I stumble over it, and I'm like "Oof. That's not supposed to be there." My built-in punctuation detectors send up signals that something is out of place, so it actually slows me down.

So maybe I leave out the comma for selfish reasons?

Luke said...

I guess that makes sense. My punctuation detectors are not nearly as sensitive, and the commas, in this instance, make it much easier for me to read.

megs said...

well shucks, i was gonna get it, but it looks like i'm too late to be the first! bummer....

ercwttmn said...

my, head, hurts...

Luke said...

Meg: Don't worry, I'll post more. *grin* I love these. :-)

Luke said...

Eric: Suck it up. :-)

c.l.beyer said...

Oh, ercwttmn, that was low.

(But I'm glad to have found your blog; it's great.)

Luke said...

Carrie, meet Eric.

He's a great guy - K-State Alumnus - Architecture. Wonderful sense of humor and very eclectic tastes in life.

Wonderful people.

ercwttmn said...

luke,

thanks for the nice words.

i'm so glad that you have this blog so i can keep up with a fellow "eclectic", interesting and great person.

carrie,

glad you find my blog somewhat entertaining. ha ha ha