0
Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Another "and" Comma - they confuse me sometimes

He is a conflicted beast of prey, utterly vexed by the human race, and at the threshold of madness – that is, if he has not crossed it already.

Is the comma after "race" and before "and" fine there? I feel both a pause and the connection of two different things.

Thanks.
  

Top answer

" Is the comma after "race" and before "and" fine there? I feel both a pause and the connection of two different things. I see no need for a comma there.

— Canadian45

  • " Is the comma after "race" and before "and" fine there?
  • I feel both a pause and the connection of two different things.
  • I see no need for a comma there.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
"He is a conflicted beast of prey, utterly vexed by the human race, and at the threshold of madness – that is, if he has not crossed it already."

Is the comma after "race" and before "and" fine there? I feel both a pause and the connection of two different things.
I see no need for a comma there.
0
0
What about here?

The doorbell rang, and it startled me.
0
0
SnarfWhat about here?....
The doorbell rang, and it startled me.
I am much more inclined to accept this comma than the one in your first post. Although "it" and "the doorbell", or at least the ringing of the doorbell, are the same thing, the sentence has the feel of a compound sentence. So the way the sentence is, you can use the comma if you wish. Bu
0
0
Hi,

I prefer the comma after 'race'. It makes it clearer that the afterthought
that is, if he has not crossed it already
refers only to the phrase at the threshold of madness.

0

Related Questions