When we do make grammar --

• Seriously, do you *really* type verbatim? sm - SheSha
  • verbatim - momamy
  • Not anymore - CM
  • When we do make grammar -- - HospMT
  • Ditto. - jus me
  • i am on verb acct, - sm
  • I agree with you. I'm supposed to type "verbatim" , but (s/m) - Jus' little ol' me
    • I think that's just a CYA for the - old MT
  • Only typed verbatim twice - Once for dictated educated MDs and
  • My account has 1 doc and he has a hissy - yep
    • Do you ever wonder how they remember what they mumbled? - SheSha
  • Not in that regard - SM - Endiqua
    • Verbatim - OldBabe
  • LOL that sounds like a line from a - speech rec report!!

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let's? 

Some of the stuff I saw from subcontractors during testing made my jaw drop to the level of my fanny in utter disbelief!  We are talking about the use of grammar equivalent to what a sixth grader knows.  It is unbelievable  - that and things they don't even take the time to research. 

My personal favorites?  

"skin graph" 

"dorsalis peterson pulses"  

How about accuracy and grammar? Medicatios, etc. Sometimes the dictator will not even dictate if the report remains the same from last visit - What happens in this case??  

Thanks  

The use of commas depends on whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive.  If it is nonrestrictive - that is, it may be informative but not necessary to the meaning of the sentence, then it is set off by commas.  On the other hand, if the clause is restrictive - that is, its use is imperative to the meaning of the sentence, then no commas are used.

Example:  That is the dog which ran off with my sandwich.   Restrictive because "which ran off with my sandwich" is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

On the other hand:  That dog, which is wearing a yellow collar, ran off with my sandwich.  "Which is wearing a yellow collar" is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence; thus it is nonrestrictive and requires commas.

This subject can confuse a lot of people, because all they remember is setting the clauses off by commas and forget the restrictive and nonrestrictive rules.

English is a growing, changing language, and sometimes what were rules 50 years ago are no longer the rules for today.  We may argue against that - that grammar is grammar and should remain - but if that were the case we would all still be writing like Shakespeare or the early constitutionalists.  Look at their writings and decide if you would like to still have to write like that. 

Fewer commas is the trend for today, and I guess we will have to embrace the fact that time doesn't stand still for any of us, nor does the English language. 

First of all, a coma is a medical condition.  A comma is a punctuation mark.

Yes, you are correct about independent clauses being set off by commas.  However, the tendency in medical dictation/transcription has been toward simplifying the language and grammar, to the point where many doctors don't even dictate complete sentences any more.  Punctuation of all types is avoided unless absolutely necessary.

We old school grammarians can have kind of a hard time letting go of the rules we learned when studying grammar and the English language.  It is a whole new world out there, and it seems the motto is "adapt or step out of the way". 

If you do know grammar, it isn't a part-time thing, it is part of your daily life and the way you express yourself. I'm not talking about colloquialisms or "natural speech", I'm talking about things like - and I quote - "how little we (the transcriptionist) is getting paid" and "make us or brake us". To name just two instances.

I have NEVER posted a "grammar police" message before, but since the OP specifically said that these letters must be well written and well edited, I felt it was pertinent to bring up the subject.

If you are going to ask others to use correct grammar, you should do so yourself. It's as simple as that.

I make mistakes in posts from time to time.  I am just disappointed and frustrated by the "holier than thou" attitudes of working MTs and then they don't even use proper grammar in their posts.  I don't want this to turn into a negative thread.  What companies hire experienced MTs and actually care about grammar?

Was writing fast as she just E-mailed me that she felt it was unfair that I was able to make mistakes as last week to make her feel better I told her about one stupid mistake that I had just made but she could not.  And that she would type his reports when she did during the 4 days but not send them to me until they are due and HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE PERFECT.  So I think we have come to a parting of ways.  This is worse than fighting with your husband.   Thanks for all the input.  Like I said for probably 11 hours of work she made $325. 

I transcribe for one professional that says statements such as: "She DID SEEM in agreement". "She DID START to cry" and "The mother DID COME BACK to the office"  My supervisor told me she doesn't care for how this sounds either and that we just need to go ahead and type it as is.  Of course I am going to abide by what my supervisor says.  Is it just "cut and dry" when transcribing to type EXACTLY what is being said? - - - I also type for another professional with a PhD who will dictate and use certain words out of context, but I know what he means to say.  Do we just TACTFULLY address individual issues like this when they arise with those who are dictating?

Hello,

I'm not sure what exactly you're looking for, but there are a lot of links here:

http://www.angelfire.com/mt/medicalinks/

Also, I like:

http://www.medilexicon.com