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Sunu Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Comma/semicolon
Hi,
How would we punctuate the following without rewriting the sentence:
In ancient times,/? India taught the world the concept of ‘Zero’, decimal and algebra,/? explored the philosophical essence of Karma,/? and tapped the latent art in erotica.
Also, would it be inappropriate to use the Oxford comma after decimal? If not, how would the punctuation of the sentence be?
Thx,
S
How would we punctuate the following without rewriting the sentence:
In ancient times,/? India taught the world the concept of ‘Zero’, decimal and algebra,/? explored the philosophical essence of Karma,/? and tapped the latent art in erotica.
Also, would it be inappropriate to use the Oxford comma after decimal? If not, how would the punctuation of the sentence be?
Thx,
S
Top answer
I would go with an Oxford comma after 'decimal', but other people would have different opinions. In ancient times, India taught the world the concept of ‘zero’, decimal, and algebra, explored the philosophical essence of Karma, and tapped the latent art in erotica. paco
- I would go with an Oxford comma after 'decimal', but other people would have different opinions.
- In ancient times, India taught the world the concept of ‘zero’, decimal, and algebra, explored the philosophical essence of Karma, and tapped the latent art in erotica.
- paco
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6 Answers
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I would go with an Oxford comma after 'decimal', but other people would have different opinions.
In ancient times, India taught the world the concept of ‘zero’, decimal, and algebra, explored the philosophical essence of Karma, and tapped the latent art in erotica.
paco
In ancient times, India taught the world the concept of ‘zero’, decimal, and algebra, explored the philosophical essence of Karma, and tapped the latent art in erotica.
paco
00
Thanks, Paco.
So, there is no need for a semicolon in that sentence (say, between algebra and explored)?
So, there is no need for a semicolon in that sentence (say, between algebra and explored)?
00
No semicolon is needed in your sentence. I parse it as follows:
In ancient times, India [A taught the world (a the concept of ‘zero’), (b decimal), and (c algebra)], [B explored the philosophical essence of Karma], and [C tapped the latent art in erotica].
A, B and C
In ancient times, India [A taught the world (a the concept of ‘zero’), (b decimal), and (c algebra)], [B explored the philosophical essence of Karma], and [C tapped the latent art in erotica].
A, B and C
00
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Semicolon sometiems acts as a "supercomma".
e.g.
Science fiction sagas with the most memorable characterization are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Aliens, with the ever-harassed but always-capable Lt. Ripley; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
Example from
e.g.
Science fiction sagas with the most memorable characterization are Star Trek, with Mr. Spock and his large pointed ears; Aliens, with the ever-harassed but always-capable Lt. Ripley; and Star Wars, with Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader.
Example from
00
Thx, Julie.
But, now we need to come back to the original sentence that I had given. There are internal commas in A but not the rest. So, do we use a semicolon after A finishes?
But, now we need to come back to the original sentence that I had given. There are internal commas in A but not the rest. So, do we use a semicolon after A finishes?
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