The comma is a punctuation character that is placed on the baseline and looks similar to a single quotation mark.
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1answer
15 views
Is it acceptable to state conditions one after the other separated by commas but not have “and” or “or” in the end?
I found a duplicate question here, but am asking my question since the nature of my sentence is a little different.
The sentence:
"You need to know your employees well. Who is unhappy at not ...
5
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1answer
45 views
Why is this sentence incorrect? Why is this other sentence correct?
The answer to this GMAT question was not what I expected it to be.
Link to the forum page here.
Up until now, I was certain about two fundamental truths about grammar.
It is always possible to ...
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0answers
8 views
Can a non-restrictive modifier start with a conjunction?
For example:
A similar car, only bigger and blue, drove past John.
or
Jane enjoyed a light, but tasty, brunch with her mother.
Are these sentences grammatically correct? or should the commas ...
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0answers
18 views
Comma grammatical function
Could someone please name the grammatical comma use in the sentence below? It looks like an interrupter (parenthetical), but I'm unsure if the usage is correct.
"The title of the song “This is ...
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0answers
17 views
how do I say: sorry not sorry?
Do I need to add any hyphens or commas like the examples below?
Sorry, not sorry.
Sorry-not-sorry.
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0answers
11 views
Phrase In The Middle of a Sentence
Sentence: They sometimes represented their sons politically and in several instances signed on their behalf.
Should "in several instances" be surrounded by commas?
TIA.
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2answers
35 views
Comma after a prepositional phrase used at start
Which of the following is/are correct?
Throughout the United State large number of young people enter college every year.
Throughout the United State, large number of young people enter college every ...
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0answers
22 views
How correct is this sentence?
"This time of great political and social change also saw an artistic revolution, as the Impressionist movement arose to challenge the conventions of art."
The use of comma before 'as' is confusing me....
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0answers
26 views
What difference does a comma make here?
What is the difference between these two:
it will not perform well in using the common sense it has stored to solve problems.
It will not perform well in using the common sense it has stored, to ...
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1answer
70 views
How many people are there in this sentence, 3 or 4? [duplicate]
In the following sentence how many persons are mentioned, 3 or 4?
The Sentence is:
"They invited me to dinner, and when I arrived at their house, there stood my girlfriend's father, and her mother,...
1
vote
2answers
52 views
Is a comma needed in a sentence containing two clauses? [closed]
Can this sentence be made easier to read?
"During some of the subjects I had the opportunity to work within a team as during our Science and Physics lessons, we often used to go the school ...
1
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1answer
31 views
Using commas in cases of “extreme contrast” (commas in compound predicates with “but”)
It seems to me that many, including myself recently, are applying this "extreme contrast" rule to the wrong cases. (See #2 in link below.)
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/...
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3answers
45 views
Improving long sentence with possible ambiguous interpretation that sums up three necessary elements
If possible, I would like some help with the following sentence:
This vision demands that heterogeneous services, peripherals and
platforms are provided with an expanded set of security ...
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0answers
22 views
Which of these sentences has the best comma placement?
He opened the door to let himself, and Drake, the family cat, out.
He opened the door to let himself, and Drake, the family cat out.
He opened the door to let himself and Drake, the family cat, out. ...
1
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0answers
12 views
Use of commas with repeated coordinating conjunctions that share the same subject
What is the rule for using commas with repeated coordinating conjunctions that share the same subject?
Example (how to punctuate this sentence without rewording it):
I woke up early and then ...
0
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1answer
51 views
Is a comma appropriate in “Sounds good, thanks.”
If I am writing "Sounds good, thanks.", is a comma appropriate between "Sounds good" and "thanks"? It seems awkward/too much to instead do "Sounds good; thanks." or "Sounds good. Thanks."
Would the ...
0
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0answers
13 views
Using an em-dash before a comma in an enumeration sentence [duplicate]
My former tenant was always well mannered, he paid his rent on-time, never played his music too loudly, cleaned the apartment before he moved out -- leaving very little work for my maintenance team --,...
0
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0answers
20 views
Should I use a comma between “when” phrases
Sorry for the poor heading. I'm not sure what part of speech "when" would be in this sentence.
You either spoke when you arrived or when you greeted the professor to introduce yourself.
Does this ...
0
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0answers
15 views
Punctuation at this moment in time
As I edit writing for other authors, I am struck as the 'sudden' lack of commas. Here's the question: Has the use of commas become passe. Are writers being encouraged to avoid using commas no matter ...
0
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0answers
4 views
Do I need a comma before 'I guess' in this sentence? [migrated]
There's always a trade-off I guess.
The sentence seems incorrect whether I add one or not; I might just have to re-word it.
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1answer
43 views
Jarring comma usage in “Freedom of the Will”
I'm reading "Freedom of the Will" by Jonathan Edwards, and I'm finding a lot of comma usage that seems jarring. As I understand it, the comma is generally used to indicate a pause in thought (among ...
0
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1answer
45 views
Is this sentence valid considering the phrase after the comma is in stark contrast to what came before it?
Here's the sentence:
I used to hate planning and I still do, but once I'm done planning, everything's easier.
If I remove the phrase after the first comma, the sentence doesn't make any sense; ...
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3answers
65 views
Is this an independent or dependent clause?
Look at the following example
'But she was so tired, she did not finish painting.'
Is the first clause an independent or dependent clause?
If it is an independent clause, should I remove the comma ...
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0answers
22 views
Starting a sentence with a Correlative Conjunction (Either/Or)
I have an example below using the Correlative Conjunction.
She has to pick a holiday destination. Either Paris, or Tokyo.
I believe the the either clause is a fragment or an absolute phrase. Thus I ...
1
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1answer
37 views
Is a semi-colon correct here or should it be a period?
Here's what I wrote. It feels wrong to start a sentence with "I tried that" as the reader wouldn't know what I'm talking about unless they read the previous lines, which is why I thought I'd use a ...
0
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2answers
61 views
Can I use 'that' before a non-restrictive phrase?
Non-restrictive relative clauses must always be introduced by which
and never by that.
So can I say something like
Both my computer and my car, that is run-down, were quite cheap.
An Oxford ...
2
votes
2answers
38 views
Comma before and in thesis title
While discussing my thesis title with my thesis advisor the following came up
Cement technology: Characterization**,** and applications in bridges and dams
I am concerned about a comma and I am ...
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1answer
84 views
Why is a comma not used in two of these sentences?
I came across the following paragraph in a book and am a bit confused about the punctuation. I would be grateful if you could explain it to me.
Thus if it comes to a child while he is looking at a ...
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0answers
28 views
Is “per person per comment” preferable to “per person, per comment”?
A piece of legislation can read either "Each Senator is allotted seven minutes per person per comment" or "Each Senator is allotted seven minutes per person, per comment". Are both congruent with ...
-1
votes
1answer
28 views
Semi-colon or comma before then?
Should a semi-colon or a comma go before the 'then'?
John ate an apple,/; then he ate an orange.
From what I remember, 'then' should follow a semi-colon when between two independent clauses; ...
-1
votes
2answers
49 views
Where and how should I place the punctuation marks in this sentence?
[James] Iris did not have a job—unless panhandling could be considered one—in which case, he was wholly employed.
How would you place and/or rearrange the punctuation marks in this sentence? I've ...
1
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1answer
21 views
What sort of phrases cannot be restrictive or non-restrictive?
The Chicago Manual of Style says
A phrase that is restrictive—that is, essential to the meaning (and
often the identity) of the noun it belongs to—should not be set off by
commas.
What sort of ...
2
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1answer
45 views
When you say “plain old” adjectivally, is a comma required between them?
Examples:
I can't believe he wore a plain old t-shirt to prom.
I can't believe he wore a plain, old t-shirt to prom.
I could only find one dictionary that has it as a phrase:
https://www....
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0answers
33 views
Need help with colons and semicolons for obituary?
My grandma died this morning, and my dad just sent me a draft for her obituary to ask for help on a grammar issue. He wants to say (names changed)
"She was preceded in death by her parents, her ...
1
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2answers
36 views
Can there be a comma between the adverb and the noun of the last member of a series?
I saw a practice SAT question on Khan Academy:
Certified Executive Chef Hilary DeMane has prepared confections for celebrities, governors, and even Ronald Reagan.
The correct answer is filled in ...
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0answers
31 views
Would a comma be needed for clarification or negation in the following sentence?
In the following sentence, is a comma needed after sky? I'm worried that without the comma the sentence could be confusing. The character looks up to the sky, expecting to see a dragon, but the reason ...
2
votes
1answer
52 views
Switching tense in a sentence when describing events
I'm not sure whether the following sentences are grammatically correct:
A figure appeared at the window, waving happily.
and,
"Sure," he answered, pulling out a chair at the nearby table.
...
-1
votes
1answer
56 views
Comma or no comma before “every day” used in this sentence? [closed]
In the following sentence, would it be correct to use a comma to before every day?
We find loans for people with bad credit or no history of borrowing, every day.
We find loans for people with ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Which of these is right?
I have three sentences here, and I'm not sure of which one to use.
1
She walked home, and slept immediately after.
2
She walked home, and she slept immediately after.
3
She walked home ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Comma use when omitting a repeated verb (ellipsis)
I am 'querying' an agent... And I would like to keep grammar mistakes and infelicities down to a manageable dozen. So here goes:
In the following sentence,
"In the story, Gilgamesh is king, and ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
using comma within the appositive
If you have a list of items separated by commas, can it be used as an appositive if you separate it from the rest of the sentence by yet another by comma?
Here's an example:
The factory produces ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Is it incorrect to use 'however' as a substitute for 'but' in a sentence?
In my thesis I have written such sentences as:
"Murphy and Levy found that all participants used formality, titles
and please/thankyou with overseas partners, however, what was
perceived as ...
0
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0answers
23 views
Is it necessary to put a comma before and after “if so”?
Is it necessary to put a comma before and after the phrase "if so" in the following context?
Before you get started, ask your supervisor if the course you’re applying for is suitable and/or a ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
How to use Commas When an Introductory Clause Precedes a Dependent/Subordinate Clause
I think we all agree that most introductory clauses are set off by commas. E.g.:
In 1982, John Smith went to battle in Spain.
Moreover, the monkeys all ate bread.
I think we also agree that ...
1
vote
2answers
39 views
A Question Regarding the Use of a Comma for a Quoted Question [closed]
I'd like to ask for the community's opinion regarding the correct usage of a comma for a quoted question.
In a situation such as this, which of the two following sentences would be correct? The ...
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0answers
20 views
Adding and removing commas in participial phrases
Adding and removing commas before participial phrases
1- Jake is waving at Sam, carrying a heavy bag.
2- Jake is waving at Sam carrying a heavy bag.
Does the comma change the meaning? In ...
1
vote
2answers
51 views
Is it acceptable to place a comma after the em-dash in this sentence? [duplicate]
Due to financial struggles brought on by marital struggles—or perhaps it was the other way around—, the family had to forsake it as the bank foreclosed on it.
I normally wouldn't place a comma, but ...
0
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1answer
29 views
Question Regarding Comma vs Colon
Consider the following sentence:
In 2013 Tallinn, Estonia, instituted fare-free rides for city residents (becoming the largest city in the world to do so), but car use in Tallinn has only slightly ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
I'm a bit unsure on correct comma placement in the following sentence. Parenthetical or not?
I'm not sure if the phrase 'indeed necessary' is parenthetical in the following example and thus requires two commas or if I can/should write it with a single comma after 'valuable'.
1)It allows ...
2
votes
2answers
56 views
Can you use commas to list things after using a comma to interrupt the sentence flow?
When using a comma to create a pause in a sentence, can you then use commas immediately after to list things?
I've written the sentence,
Like the ancient tales of yore, we bore witness to our ...
