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Ducks1160 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Comma nightmares
She stuck her tongue out as though limbering it up for the performance, stole a glance at Herman, then blew mightily into the tube, making a vulgar noise.
Must I put a comma after "tube"? Why? I think the sentence would be perfectly understandable without a comma after "tube."
You would think that the rules for punctuation were simple enough and easy to follow, but I find punctuation a nightmare.
Must I put a comma after "tube"? Why? I think the sentence would be perfectly understandable without a comma after "tube."
You would think that the rules for punctuation were simple enough and easy to follow, but I find punctuation a nightmare.
Top answer
It is difficult for commas in particular because they are often a style choice. Use them for clarity, but do not allow them to slow down the word flow unless that is your purpose. If you don't put a comma after 'tube' the reader may misread it; it may seem that the tube was making the noise before she began blowing into it.
- It is difficult for commas in particular because they are often a style choice.
- Use them for clarity, but do not allow them to slow down the word flow unless that is your purpose.
- If you don't put a comma after 'tube' the reader may misread it; it may seem that the tube was making the noise before she began blowing into it.
- When in doubt, recast: She stuck her tongue out as though limbering it up for the performance, stole a glance at Herman, and then blew mightily into the tube , which emitted a vulgar noise.
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2 Answers
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It is difficult for commas in particular because they are often a style choice. Use them for clarity, but do not allow them to slow down the word flow unless that is your purpose. If you don't put a comma after 'tube' the reader may misread it; it may seem that the tube was making the noise before she began blowing into it. When in doubt, recast:
She stuck her tongue out as thoug
She stuck her tongue out as thoug
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<< She stuck her tongue out as though limbering it up for the performance, stole a glance at Herman, then blew mightily into the tube, making a vulgar noise. >>
When you're a slow reader like me, commas can be useful in giving you a heads up. Otherwise, you may have to read the whole clause before deciding what's
When you're a slow reader like me, commas can be useful in giving you a heads up. Otherwise, you may have to read the whole clause before deciding what's
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