Grammatical puzzle - punctuation

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SirGod

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I have just stumbled upon this and I have found it very interesting:

James while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher

Now, your goal is to punctuate the sentence in order to make sense.

PS: I hadn't managed to do it so I took a glance at the answer.
 

SirGod

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It seems like nobody dared to give it a try or, at least, nobody was able to solve it. Here comes the answer:

James, while John had had "had", had had "had had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher.
 

5jj

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It seems like nobody dared to give it a try or, at least, nobody was able to solve it. Here comes the answer:

James, while John had had "had", had had "had had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher.
If that still presents a problem to some readers, try this:

James, while John had written (e.g. in his examination) "had", had written "had had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher.

or: James had written "had had", while John had written "'had"; "had had" had had a better effect on the teacher.
 

5jj

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Try this one, SirGod (or others):

The Director of Holland and Anderson ordered some business cards. When they were delivered, he was not saitisfied with the appearance of the name of the company - 'Holl..and... and... And..erson'.., so he wrote to the printer (this is what you have to punctuate, with capital letters where necessary):

There is too much space between holl and and and and and and and and and and and and and and erson.
 

SirGod

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Also remove the unnecessary spaces? Also, while I am beating my brains about that, try this (you or anyone else):

that that is is that that is not is not is that it it is
 
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5jj

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Also remove the unnecessary spaces? Also, while I am beating my brains about that, try this (you or anyone else):

that that is is that that is not is not is that it it is
That's a goodie. I'll leave it for a learner to try.
 

SirGod

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I think I have just done it!

There is too much space between "Holl" and "and", "and" and "and", "and" and "And", "and and" and "And", "And" and "erson".

However, I am not sure about my solution.
 

5jj

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:oops: I spoilt it by putting one too many 'ands' in my original post. Sorry.
I think I have just done it!

There is too much space between "Holl" and "and" correct, "and" and "and", possible "and" and "And" correct, "and and" and "And"no, "And" and "erson"correct.

However, I am not sure about my solution.
A good attempt in an unfair puzzle
My solution is
'Holl..and(1)... and((2)... And(3)..erson'
There is too much space between "Holl" and "and(1)", and "and(1)" and "and(2)", and "and(2)" and "And(3)" and "And" and [STRIKE]and[/STRIKE] erson.

My apologies once again for spoiling it.
 
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SirGod

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Don't worry, there is no problem. If you have another, here I am!
 

5jj

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Can you think of a (reasonably ;-)) possible utterance containing that that that that that that that makes sense?

There are six thats - I've checked carefully.
 

SirGod

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I tried but, frankly, I have no idea.
 

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It is an artificial situation, similar to the 'had had' one:

Two teachers are discussing a pupi's written work. The pupil had written this sentence:"He said was wrong."

Teacher A. The pupil should have written "He said that was wrong". (1)
Teacher B. To be formally correct, it he should have written, "He said that that was wrong". (2)
Teacher A: I feel that 'that that' is clumsy. (3)
Teacher B: Well, I feel that that 'that that' that I suggested is correct. (5)


Teacher C, on hearing of this conversation later: He said that? That that 'that that' that he had suggested was correct? I don't believe it! (6)
 

SirGod

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Huh, I would never have solved it. Thank you for the challenge!
 

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Huh, I would never have solved it. Thank you for the challenge!
You're welcome. - It was a bit devious.

Have you got any more?
 

SirGod

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Here is a good one:

buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo
 

SirGod

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Long time, no reply. Here is the answer:

Buffalo has several meanings:

a. the city of Buffalo, New York, United States, which is used as a noun adjunct in the sentence and is followed by the animal;
n. the noun buffalo, an animal, in the plural (equivalent to "buffaloes" or "buffalos"), in order to avoid articles;
v. the verb "buffalo" meaning to bully, confuse, deceive, or intimidate;


Buffalo (a) buffalo (n) Buffalo (a) buffalo (n) buffalo (v) buffalo (v) Buffalo (a) buffalo (n).

Source: Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
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