How to name a couple?

[Frederick Williams]

How to name a couple?

Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia, Flowerdew

or

Sir Crispin and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?

The first makes the fragrant Lady Zenobia seem like an afterthought,
while the second suggests the possibility that Sir Crispin is not a
Flowerdew.

[An afterthought: if one actually wanted to convey that Sir Crispin is
not a Flowerdew would one write

Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?]

[Egbert White]

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:27:00 +0000, Frederick Williams

Post by Frederick Williams
How to name a couple?
Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia, Flowerdew
or
Sir Crispin and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?
The first makes the fragrant Lady Zenobia seem like an afterthought,
while the second suggests the possibility that Sir Crispin is not a
Flowerdew.

I think this is another case where it's not a good idea to assume the
reader will think like you do. To better avoid ambiguity, wouldn't it
be good to write either

Sir Crispin Flowerdew and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew

or

Lady Zenobia Flowerdew and Sir Crispin.

Better yet, if Sir Crispin has a last name, it would be good to say
so:

Lady Zenobia Flowerdew and Sir Crispin Jones.

Post by Frederick Williams
[An afterthought: if one actually wanted to convey that Sir Crispin is
not a Flowerdew would one write
Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?]

[Grrlscout]

Post by Frederick Williams
How to name a couple?
Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia, Flowerdew
or
Sir Crispin and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?
The first makes the fragrant Lady Zenobia seem like an afterthought,
while the second suggests the possibility that Sir Crispin is not a
Flowerdew.
[An afterthought: if one actually wanted to convey that Sir Crispin is
not a Flowerdew would one write
Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?]

Option one doesn't make sense. Sir C and Lady Z are grouped together
by the comma, but what comes after doesn't make sense.

Opeion two implies they are both Flowerdews.

Option three implies that Sir Crispin isn't a Flowerdew, but Lady Z is.

Hope this helps...

[Frederick Williams]

Post by Grrlscout

Post by Frederick Williams
How to name a couple?
Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia, Flowerdew
or
Sir Crispin and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?
The first makes the fragrant Lady Zenobia seem like an afterthought,
while the second suggests the possibility that Sir Crispin is not a
Flowerdew.
[An afterthought: if one actually wanted to convey that Sir Crispin is
not a Flowerdew would one write
Sir Crispin, and Lady Zenobia Flowerdew?]

Option one doesn't make sense. Sir C and Lady Z are grouped together
by the comma, but what comes after doesn't make sense.
Opeion two implies they are both Flowerdews.
Option three implies that Sir Crispin isn't a Flowerdew, but Lady Z is.
Hope this helps...

It does. Thanks.