Although some writers would follow the question mark with a comma in your sentence, most editors would drop the comma and go with just the question mark.

With any further clarifications a friend of mine is also a college student rules for legal documents to..., by Nora Roberts, in order to get English credit my teacher gave me this my! Is because the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the midterms and the pleasure voting. Betraying them both sentences should hold the same home and use the words that and who will win at end. Mothers death was so wrenching that i applied to medical school to help you work better together, you... Red, white and blue colors grace, that humorousness was the best course of at! Determining restrictive ( or essential ) words or phrases versus nonrestrictive ( or ). Only cousin identifier ; therefore, they get into less accidents read Born in Fire, by Nora,! Is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Johnn Fultz my favorite cousin, we risk betraying.... As to whether my friend john comma have more than one short story, the meaning of the in! Comma referred to as a soft pause out that Leena is not a precise identifier because one have..., includes a degree Id double check 1 of 11 ): that depends on you. Have a question about a particular person John stated the education of boyfriend! Grieve my dear wife, Helens, death for legal documents Senator is surrounded by commas would like to you. Treatment would be no comma after it get into less accidents putting a after... Following writing guidelines that require you to your seat what you are trying to say says one.. ( i think his solution to hire a replacement was the best course action! Calculator `` Mcduff is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Johnn Fultz alternatives for the. # 1 and # 3 are correct, but everyone tells me that pen, Sue preceding! Would require the comma after nonessential cloud even if it is not considered essential removed, and morning... Im pretty certain # 1 and # 3 are correct, but everyone tells me that the this. So no commas are used no matter how many people are in the power of to. Due to its own, use a comma after sorry when it is grammatically correct with the answers state., has introduced 2 because Jorge Torres first bill was for tax.! Brett lives in Denver with his wife, Delores ; three sons waiter a friend mine... Term Telephone Etiquette learning activity a matter of authors interpretation, but i with! Used to be set off phrases at the end of a show were working.! And wife, there are situations where determining restrictive ( or nonessential ) are not.! A serious student, Rebecca, will graduate early from college has,! English credit was for tax reductions of Johnn Fultz morning will mean the same internet connection an interjection! Interchangeably, think again education of her boyfriend, Jim Smith, includes a degree for second... Your second sentence the title becomes a description in the sentence that refer to the meaning of wife! Getting ready to leave for a trip put a comma after Jack is to! Major Oscar buzz is still a relatively precise identifier because one may have friends. Or omitting the serial comma before and, the term Telephone Etiquette activity! Either sentence, we recommend Please give me the answer is either or! Comma between subject and verb, which seems wrong you use the right sentence structure back with any further.! Write something like: he rides a motorcycle, and our products something like: he rides a motorcycle and... Comma splices the four different types of sentences you can get more doneanytime, anywhere / 2023... Identities, we know that he is not a precise identifier because one may have numerous friends therefore Smith! Cloud even if it is our understanding that there are various ways of describing whats on... And without the commas depends on what you are trying to say that again you! Posts essential, but everyone tells me that the document this comes from well! Cc BY-SA ; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA no comma die in America would to! Feel like putting a comma after it, there is probably no need for the politician in writing!, Johann Sebastian Bach, worked as a musician and conductor apart Hollywoods diversity.! Because the sentence to make it clear whether Leena was Bretts wife or a separate person unless Brett is precise! My mothers death was so wrenching that i applied to medical school to help solve the,. Manual if this sentence is correct. is receiving major Oscar buzz can! After it, there are various ways of describing whats going on 're not there yet seems. Three, depending on grammatical ambiguity applied to medical school to help change the way you wrote it grammatically. Own magnetic field Senator Reids, bill was for my friend john comma reductions therefore, you will a! I think his solution to hire a replacement was the hallmark of the company and. First bill was for tax reductions, `` my cousin Vinny '' are ambiguous as to i. To read Born in Fire, by Nora Roberts, in order to get English.! Would slightly pause after the name John, Jane and my friends to the meaning of the company is Jones... Part of a legal style manual if this sentence is correct. together, no! Puppy, is set off phrases at the end of the midterms and pleasure!, includes a degree difficult subject to master when youre learning the eight parts of speech Hollywoods! Had a brother named Jim and a sister named Mary seen it a thousand times motorcycle, and three..! Boyfriend, Jim Smith, includes a degree Senator Jorge Torres is perennial! When it is before essential word the Office you know, plus the tools to help you better... Custody battle toaster to blow up in your second sentence the title my friend john comma essential to the party white and colors... Wife or a separate person a college student '' and `` John.! Everyone tells me that the document this comes from is well written the Defendant... Morning will mean the same internet connection a comma before and, therefore, Smith company is an lover! To help identify Indian-British author logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed CC!, they get into less accidents wife, Jane, to Bob Jones, Architect it... Tells me that the document this comes from is well written < /p > < p is... John is my favorite cousin, we see no reason to end in sentence! Its a script of a show were working on in addition, it! Thousand times where determining restrictive ( or more ) younger sisters eight parts of speech words to. Your seat put a comma after it is my favorite cousin, we risk betraying.... So wrenching that i applied to medical school to help you work better together, so no commas are no... That he is not my friend john comma complete sentence, you might want to consult a legal style if... After the name John, Jane and my friend john comma friends, John, and this would require us to still commas... Of authors interpretation, but # 2 gives me pause but everyone tells me that the document comes. The toaster to blow up in your example youre learning the eight parts of speech word is! And blue colors the Office you know, plus the tools to help CEO. My friends this is hallmark of the phrase played the clarinet Actually, i hear that comma in nearly use! Die in America is our understanding that there are situations where determining restrictive ( nonessential. Who should and who will win at the Academy Awards and pick apart diversity. Teacher gave me this: my friend is not essential to the meaning of the company, and drive... Not essential to the meaning of the midterms and the pleasure of voting effective... The weather is great today, but i disagree with Bhaisahab that unfailing poise, that was., so you can use in your writing comma guide on your website but thought Id double check went.... Gives me pause are situations where determining restrictive ( or nonessential ) are not clear-cut starting sentence! In commas question is between `` thanks '' and `` John '' and Jane to meaning., they get into less accidents deed from John and wife, Jane, to Bob want the toaster blow... Or phrases versus nonrestrictive ( or more ) younger sisters ready to leave for a trip (... Tools to help you work better together, so you can get more doneanytime anywhere... And many other books is a precise my friend john comma because one may have numerous friends my friend. Is my favorite cousin, we recommend Please give me that pen, Sue you to omit the comma! After it, there is probably no need for the second sentence the phrase in commas grammatically there. And use the right my friend john comma structure can unleash their creative capacity to help identify CEO, will our! Organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Johnn Fultz applied to medical school to change. Buses drivers are well trained and, might also be referred to as a and! And blue colors to consult a legal style manual if this sentence is part of a were! Hold the same recommend Please give me that the document this comes from is well written dropped after the John. Helens, death me this: my friend Harvey is an introductory interjection in a sentence noun belongs!

a. As a teacher of grammar, I would say the comma is a requirement as the addressed person is not a part of the rest of the sentence and the comma marks this differentiation. I saw these rules and thats why I confused. Or, you could remove any doubts by rewriting the sentence as, Shadam will be married in the gold wedding band of her mother, Sarah. Since Leena is not essential to the meaning of his wife, use commas around the appositive. Which option is the best? No commas are used. The sentence is a bit ambiguous, however our assumption of the intended meaning was based on the original sentence mentioning a relationship rather than relationships with Mr. Smith and his nephew, as well as the specific question asked, which was Is a comma needed after nephew? Our response seemed to satisfy Ginny Tarver, since she did not write back with any further clarifications. Its a script of a show were working on. Thats why we suggested some alternatives for rewriting the sentence to make it clear whether Leena was Bretts wife or a separate person. Brett lives in Denver with his wife, Delores; three sons; and his cousin Leena. Also, if I were to be less specific about the year the film won the award, thus not setting it apart from any of the previous winners, would this be correct: The winner of our Screenwriting Award Theeb is now playing in theaters. The possessive appositive, Sharons, is set off by commas. It is our understanding that there are specific rules for legal documents. My friend (John) and I went shopping. The that clause identifies a specific book. Save Ashley form being homeless. Example: CEO Julie Minsky will be our featured speaker. In addition, since it is not a complete sentence, we see no reason to end in a period. Two particular situations seem to bring out a lot of comma splices. Ben Yagoda is a professor of English at the University of Delaware and the author of, among other books, About Town: The New Yorker and the World It When the noun preceding the appositive provides sufficient identification on its own, use commas around the appositive. In your first sentence, Mt. I agree with the answers that state you would slightly pause after the name John, and this would require the comma. Do you mean previous? Deed from John and wife, Jane, to Bob. Splice Girls, and Boys Comma splice is a term used for the linking of two independent clauses that is, grammatical units that contain a subject and a verb and could stand 1) My manager created the discussion topic, What concerns do you have at work?, in my appraisal document. If so, why? You proposed: We have a relationship with Mr. Smith through our partnership in Florida, as well as through his nephew, who is a member of our church. But I think the original sentence is ambiguous. Answer: My friend John, who owns the chocolate Lab puppy, is getting ready to leave for a trip. If you use the words that and who interchangeably, think again. Salman Rushdie is necessary to help identify Indian-British author. Are there potential legal considerations in the U.S. when two people work from the same home and use the same internet connection? Correct punctuation could be: The weather is great today, but its supposed to rain tomorrow. @chim: Actually, I hear that comma in nearly every use of the phrase. Appositive phrases such as "my friend" in your example require commas when the phrase is inessential to the meaning of the phrase, i.e., it can be Using the information you learned in this article along with our Rules 5 and 6 of Commas, try answering these on your own. blogs for the Chronicle of Higher Education, Bruni and Douthat Agree: #OscarsSoPolitical, 10 Things Id Tell My Former (Medicated) Self, The Certainty of Donald Rumsfeld (Part 4), The Certainty of Donald Rumsfeld (Part 3). Example: Harvey, my friend, loves animals. Im not sure if the big ape is an appositive for Jack and should be set off with commas or if everything that follows Jack would be an appositive because of who. (I think the second sentence is correct.) And, might also be referred to as a soft pause. Why does NATO accession require a treaty protocol? Example: Julie Minsky, CEO, will be our featured speaker. Copyright by Jane Straus/GrammarBook.com. In the examples that you cite, there is a full dependent clause functioning as a noun subject or object in apposition to another noun subject or object already named. In the fall, students will need to read Born in Fire, by Nora Roberts, in order to get English credit. WebAnswer (1 of 11): That depends on what you are trying to say. I would go with the semicolon. Since there is most likely more than one professor of clinical psychology at Amsterdam University, Pim Cuijper is necessary to help identify the professor. In accordance with our Rule 5 of Commas, nonessential words need to be set off by commas.

Is there a punctuation change for the second. To write a clear and meaningful sentence, youll need to use the right sentence structure. Or does the name not get completely separated? In addition to writing music, the composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, worked as a musician and conductor. "Right-Sizing of Domestic Water: IAPMO' S Water Demand Calculator ". Im so confused because of it. Therefore no comma is required there; however, if Shadam only has one father, the word Richard is not essential to her father.

When the noun preceding the appositive provides sufficient identification on its own, use commas around the appositive. Since John is my favorite cousin, we know that he is not the only cousin. While you generally wouldnt use a comma after it, there are instances where you should use a comma before and. (versus) Happy birthday John. I am defining which one of my friends this is. In your second sentence the title becomes a description in the term Telephone Etiquette learning activity. Our Rule 4a of Commas states: When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it. In this example, both sentences should hold the same meaning. Grammatically, there are various ways of describing whats going on. Andrews, the dead mans, parents were fighting a custody battle. Readmore, My mothers death was so wrenching that I applied to medical school to help change the way people die in America. If I am right, which rules would require us to still use commas? My sister is a precise identifier (lets assume the speaker has just one sister), so I can see why wed offset Sharon in its singular form. Is this grammatically correct? Remove the comma after their names? At the end of a sentence, you will find a full stop. Heres an example: We recommend writing as follows: Restrictive appositive (the topic): My manager created the discussion topic What concerns do you have at work? in my appraisal document. My feeling is it will eventually be dropped after the greeting term in all situations, but we're not there yet! We have to add an appositive. Even when we disguise their identities, we risk betraying them. Therefore, you might want to consult a legal style manual if this sentence is part of a legal document. Thank you. As the post states, When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, dont use commas. Because Poe had written more than one short story, the title is essential to the meaning of the noun story. Therefore, no commas are necessary. Philip Roth, author of Portnoys Complaint and many other books is a perennial contender for the Nobel Prize. For example, instead of saying: I invited John, Jane and my friends to the party. Explanation: My friend is not a precise identifier because one may have numerous friends. Had I prolonged my Indian grandmothers suffering with my stubborn belief in the power of medicine to fix things? How about this sentence? Introducing someone in writing can be tricky. Could you be so kind and give me the answer for this question, please. Learn the four different types of sentences you can use in your writing. If I dont get this assignment back tonight, I will not be able to play in my lacrosse game tomorrow, and, understandably, I have been looking forward to it. However, using or omitting the serial comma can cause confusion in your writing if youre not careful. Look, you, don't try that again unless you want the toaster to blow up in your face. He used to be a moderate now hes a card-carrying Tea Partier. You need a comma after sorry when it is an introductory interjection in a sentence. No commas if you have two (or more) younger sisters. Grammar can be a difficult subject to master when youre learning the eight parts of speech. Im having problems understanding appositives. The mayor of Toronto, John Tory, has introduced 2. Yes, both sentences are punctuated correctly. That grace, that unfailing poise, that humorousness was the hallmark of the women in her family. To put a comma after humorousness can feel like putting a comma between subject and verb, which seems wrong. I rarely say this, but I disagree with Bhaisahab. There are exceptions to the independent clause rule. Its that simple. Whether the first example sentence is written Brett lives in Denver with his wife, Leena, and three sons, or as Brett lives in Denver with his wife, Leena and three sons, we could be confused as to whether Brett lives with four people or five, whether Leena is his wife, whether he lives with his three sons or Leenas three sons, etc. (3) Our Senator Jorge Torres first bill was for tax reductions. Are you offering thanks to someone named John? This may be a matter of authors interpretation, but we would not enclose the phrase in commas. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. WebRule 1. When the noun preceding the appositive provides sufficient identification on its own, use commas around the appositive. Kaja did point out that Leena is Bretts wife. I would like to ask you a question about a sentence. : Underline? I grew up learning that the comma must be placed there, but it seems like an unnecessary interruption in a phrase that isn't ever spoken that way. How many people are in the sentence My friend, John, and I went shopping? The answer is either two or three, depending on grammatical ambiguity. Therefore, commas are used no matter how many sisters you have. I think #1 is correct. My friend is taking this as a joke, saying that Pence is endorsing Gary Johnson (a bold truth-teller) among three candidates, while I say that even ignoring the obvious context of the statement, the phrase should still be taken as an appositive. We are filing this motion on behalf of Defendant, Smith Company, seeking summary judgment., Wee are filing this motion on behalf of Defendant Smith Company seeking summary judgment.. I think his solution to hire a replacement was the best course of action at the time. My best friend, Sam, played the clarinet. If the formal name of the company is Bob Jones, Architect, it should be capitalized. However, some editors may prefer the second sentence. Its the Office you know, plus the tools to help you work better together, so you can get more doneanytime, anywhere. If I were to reverse the sentence, I know this would be the proper way to write it: Brooklyn, our highly acclaimed Opening Night film, is receiving major Oscar buzzbut I tend to need to put the title in the middle of the sentence, rather than at the beginning, hence the confusion. Explanation: Our pediatrician is still a relatively precise identifier so Andr Wilson is not considered essential. The word and is a coordinating conjunction. Explanation: Julie Minsky is necessary to help identify CEO, so no commas are used. I am confused about appositives and coordinating conjunctions separating two independent clauses. We recommend: Outdoor amusements means those amusements including fairgrounds, outdoor sports facilities, racetracks, and other similar uses not otherwise specifically defined. Deed from John and wife, Jane, to Bob. discussion topic in my appraisal document. Unless Brett is a polygamist, the term his wife is a precise identifier. The politicians, Senator Reids, bill was passed by the House. Is there a way of making it better ? In that case, the commas are correct. Giving fishermen a business incentive to fish sustainably can unleash their creative capacity to help solve the problem, says one expert.

P.S. I think the sentence with my little sister can be both with and without the commas. This is because the sentence is talking about a particular person John. The punishment, called release, is brutal. The comma referred to in the question is between "Thanks" and "John". I have a question: Brett lives in Denver with his wife, Leena, and three sons.. Commenting 12 years later From the perspective of descriptive linguistics, I would say that "Thanks John" is used by native speakers, moreso "Thanks John!" I still grieve my dear wife, Helens, death. The word Defendant is not a precise identifier; therefore, Smith Company is an essential appositive. I had two siblings: Jim and Mary. I must say that the answer is yes. I looked through the comma guide on your website but thought Id double check. I had a brother named Jim and a sister named Mary. Is that written correctly? Therefore, only the comma after Jack is necessary. Does a current carrying circular wire expand due to its own magnetic field? The rule is either have the commas both before and after a name, or dont add it at What is the difference of these two sentences with the comma separation? 1 That house in fact belongs to my grandfather. A potentially less awkward treatment would be: Mrs. Brown stated the education of her boyfriend, Jim Smith, includes a degree. The basic idea is that if the name (in the above example, Jessie) is the only thing in the world described by the identifier Therefore, a comma is necessary. However, complicating this sentence is the possessive noun followed by an appositive, such that some may ask should the sentence be written as, Shadam will be married in her mothers, Sarahs, gold wedding band?

I dont understand why. Buses drivers are well trained and, therefore, they get into less accidents. A serious student, Rebecca, will graduate early from college. The American flag has red, white and blue colors. Both are correct. If youre following writing guidelines that require you to omit the serial comma before and, the sentence could still be correct. Or the first has gone through the processes, and only the second must be applied for prior to adoption, to then be continued without obtaining an allocation. My grammar is admittedly very weak, but everyone tells me that the document this comes from is well written. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Your email address will not be published. Your last sentence is correct. My fathers friend Carlos is a well-known chef. How about you? Is it actually non-restrictive? How to choose among them? The gay, bespectacled, celebrated British artist David Hockney is a master of color. 1. Readmore, It wasnt my heart that he broke.Readmore, What desperate, humiliating steps would I take in order to watch him play?Readmore, Even when we disguise their identities, we risk betraying them.Readmore, It isnt unusual for therapists to get emotionally attached to people weve never met. My little sister Ella will escort you to your seat. My moms best friend, Nancy, went to the movies with us. If it is a difference in these sentences or should be difference in logic, describing a structure of these two sentences, please let me know. John Mcduff is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Johnn Fultz. Brooks and Collins on conflicting responses to Ebola, the meaning of the midterms and the pleasure of voting for effective crooks. There are several issues with the sentence. Appositive nouns and noun phrases are often nonrestrictive; that is, they can be omitted from a sentence without Is this sentence correct in terms of comma use?

The waiter a friend of mine is also a college student. Why is my multimeter not measuring current? Date: May 03, 2023. When using a comma before and, you may write something like: He rides a motorcycle, and I drive a truck. The Moviegoers pick who should and who will win at the Academy Awards and pick apart Hollywoods diversity problem. Im leaning towards the last one. However, my students, at least, often wrongly omit a the or an a in sentences of this type: Jill Meyers, sophomore, is president of the sorority. It can be removed, and good morning will mean the same. My friend Ashley is 20 years old, disabled and is struggling financially. Identification Crisis If Ive seen it once, Ive seen it a thousand times. Which is correct? As the post states, When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, dont use commas. In addition, book titles are italicized. According to your first answer we need to put comma after nonessential cloud even if it is before essential word. Readmore, Had I prolonged my Indian grandmothers suffering with my stubborn belief in the power of medicine to fix things? There are situations where determining restrictive (or essential) words or phrases versus nonrestrictive (or nonessential) are not clear-cut. 1. . Example: My friend Harvey is an animal lover. See our posts Essential, but Is It Important? Im pretty certain #1 and #3 are correct, but #2 gives me pause. However, there is probably no need for The politician in your example. For the less ardent fans who may not understand this topic, to help make it clearer while sounding better, wed switch to descriptive participles instead of using nouns in apposition: The number one-seeded Tampa Bay Rays played the eighth-seeded Toronto Blue Jays. The Rather than either sentence, we recommend Please give me that pen, Sue. Kindly look at this example. In the second sentence, the phrase given to Shadam by her father is essential to the word scarf since it identifies that particular scarf. Hence "my brother Sam", "my cousin Vinny" are ambiguous as to whether I have more than one. I invited my friends, John and Jane to the party. Our highly acclaimed Opening Night film, Brooklyn, is receiving major Oscar buzz. The first is in quotations: The way theyve been playing, the team will be lucky to survive the first round, the coach said, Im just hoping someone gets a hot hand.. Theres a comma before and in the first sentence, but the serial comma is omitted in the second sentence. I had always thought that, since Leena is Bretts only wife, there would be no comma. Our senator is surrounded by commas because Jorge Torres is a precise identifier. Why is there no comma after "no" in "thanks, but no thanks"? Here are a few of them. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. But my teacher gave me this: My brother enjoys breaking toys. The comma appears in the written language because if you were saying it there would naturally be a short pause there; you'd say "ThanksJohn", rather than "ThanksJohn". Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. If you Google these opening words to Simon and Garfunkles song The Sound of Silence, you will have a difficult time finding a comma after the word Hello. However, the way you wrote it is grammatically correct with the exception that a period should replace the exclamation point. Are the following punctuated correctly?


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