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Anonymous Posted 6 years ago
Grammar

Can a comma after "today" change the meaning of the sentence?

Hi. Could you clarify the following point? Consider the sentence:

For example, today (,) we suggest that you consider reading this book.

The intended meaning is that we today suggest this. Now, which of the following statements is correct?

1. Putting a comma will stress that we today suggest this.

2. Putting a comma will stress that they should read the book today.

3. Putting a comma will stress nothing in this regard, but the comma is necessary.

4. Putting a comma will stress nothing in this regard, and the comma is unnecessary.

Thanks.


  

Top answer

The comma is a very wimpy punctuation mark. It is primarily used to set off unnecessary phrases and introductory clauses and modifiers, delimit elements in a series, and for ease of reading. The emphasis on the word "today" is best effected by other sentences in the context.

  • The comma is a very wimpy punctuation mark.
  • It is primarily used to set off unnecessary phrases and introductory clauses and modifiers, delimit elements in a series, and for ease of reading.
  • The emphasis on the word "today" is best effected by other sentences in the context.
  • You are giving the comma far more importance than it deserves.
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2 Answers
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The comma is a very wimpy punctuation mark. It is primarily used to set off unnecessary phrases and introductory clauses and modifiers, delimit elements in a series, and for ease of reading.

The emphasis on the word "today" is best effected by other sentences in the context. You are giving the comma far more importance than it deserves.

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5. None of the above. The comma is optional but not recommended. A short adverbial introduction usually omits the comma, and you can't get shorter than one word. With or without the comma, it means that today is the day when we suggest it.

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