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Guyper Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Comma

1. "I tried to get the attention of the waiter, who was hurrying by."

2. "I tried to get the attention of the waiter who was hurrying by."

Hi, does the exclusion of comma in the second sentence actually refers to a group of waiter in general whereas in the first sentence, refers to one particular waiter?

Thank you
  

Top answer

Who refers to the waiter that was hurrying by in both sentences. The first sentence may suggest that there was only one waiter in the restaurant or it could mean that even though there were many waiters, the one who had served you was hurrying by. The second sentence is possible if there were many waiters in the restaurant and one of them happened to walk by.

— Cool Breeze

  • Who refers to the waiter that was hurrying by in both sentences.
  • The first sentence may suggest that there was only one waiter in the restaurant or it could mean that even though there were many waiters, the one who had served you was hurrying by.
  • The second sentence is possible if there were many waiters in the restaurant and one of them happened to walk by.
  • Perhaps you hadn't even seen him before, but for some reason you just wanted to attract his attention.
  • CB EDIT: The waiter is possible in some contexts in the second sentence, but I think in most situations a waiter would be better.
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1 Answers
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Who refers to the waiter that was hurrying by in both sentences. The first sentence may suggest that there was only one waiter in the restaurant or it could mean that even though there were many waiters, the one who had served you was hurrying by.

The second sentence is possible if there were many waiters in the restaurant and one of them happened to walk by. Perhaps you hadn't eve
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