0
JaCKo__007 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Comma, really?
Hi all! 
Was reading Clarkson (Columnist for the Sunday Times and TV-presenter) the other day (one of his books) and came up against something I thought was odd. What do you guys think:
His use of the comma at the end of sentences was a tad baffling for me, is it just stylistic (as in, adding specific meaning to the sentences), or should it really be there, no matter what?
'And not just Bill, either.'
'Its not just blokes, either.'
'There are other problems, too.'
and there was one with appreciate at the end, which was what first caught my eye, but I can't seem to find it now - same sort of comma though. Any thoughts?
Thanks. J.
Was reading Clarkson (Columnist for the Sunday Times and TV-presenter) the other day (one of his books) and came up against something I thought was odd. What do you guys think:
His use of the comma at the end of sentences was a tad baffling for me, is it just stylistic (as in, adding specific meaning to the sentences), or should it really be there, no matter what?
'And not just Bill, either.'
'Its not just blokes, either.'
'There are other problems, too.'
and there was one with appreciate at the end, which was what first caught my eye, but I can't seem to find it now - same sort of comma though. Any thoughts?
Thanks. J.
Top answer
This is a journalist mimicking spoken English. It is primarily stylistic and colloquial.
- This is a journalist mimicking spoken English.
- It is primarily stylistic and colloquial.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
7 Answers
0
This is a journalist mimicking spoken English. It is primarily stylistic and colloquial.
00
Excellent, was worried there for a moment, thought I missed something along the way.
00
Hi Jacko
When I was a kid (a very long time ago), my English teachers drilled it into my head that a comma was "always required" when the words 'too' and 'either' appeared at the end of a sentence. So, it may well be the case that Clarkson simply had the same sort of English teacher when he was a kid.
When I was a kid (a very long time ago), my English teachers drilled it into my head that a comma was "always required" when the words 'too' and 'either' appeared at the end of a sentence. So, it may well be the case that Clarkson simply had the same sort of English teacher when he was a kid.
00
Yankeethe best general rule of thumb for comma usage still seems to be this oldie but goodie:
"When in doubt, leave it out."
00
Far be it from me to stand in the way of cool. 
However, with respect to the sort of cool you're talking about, I'd suggest
However, with respect to the sort of cool you're talking about, I'd suggest
00
1. 'There are other problems, too.'
2. 'There are other problems too.'
I would find a slight difference between the two versions. In #1, the intonation (descending from "other" to "problems") and the pause before "either" would suggest "judiciousness". In #2, on the other hand, the intonation (on the level in "other problems", rising to "too") and the lack of a pause would sugges
2. 'There are other problems too.'
I would find a slight difference between the two versions. In #1, the intonation (descending from "other" to "problems") and the pause before "either" would suggest "judiciousness". In #2, on the other hand, the intonation (on the level in "other problems", rising to "too") and the lack of a pause would sugges
00
Yes, Clarskon, regardless of his childhood education, would definitely prefer to appear 'judicious'.
Good spot. I thought
Good spot.
I thought 0
Related Questions