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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Comma in "chances are"
I was just wondering whether a comma was needed after the phrase "chances are".
e.g
'Chances are, it's going to rain.'
or is it simply
'Chances are it's going to rain.' (without the comma)
I've seen it written both ways, and googling about it didn't help. :/ Do you guys know the correct way of writing it?
e.g
'Chances are, it's going to rain.'
or is it simply
'Chances are it's going to rain.' (without the comma)
I've seen it written both ways, and googling about it didn't help. :/ Do you guys know the correct way of writing it?
Top answer
A comma is unnecessary; in fact it is grammatically incorrect, since it is a restrictive clause that follows: 'Chances are ( that ) it is going to rain' . However, some timorous writers add the comma, fearful that the reader will become disoriented. The competent reader will not.
- A comma is unnecessary; in fact it is grammatically incorrect, since it is a restrictive clause that follows: 'Chances are ( that ) it is going to rain' .
- However, some timorous writers add the comma, fearful that the reader will become disoriented.
- The competent reader will not.
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2 Answers
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A comma is unnecessary; in fact it is grammatically incorrect, since it is a restrictive clause that follows: 'Chances are (that) it is going to rain'. However, some timorous writers add the comma, fearful that the reader will become disoriented. The competent reader will not.
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