how should this sentence be punctuated??

Question

Is it correct as is? or should there be commas around the "in addition to, or rather than,..."???

If company personnel will be attending these conferences in addition to or rather than staffing the exhibit, they must register as attendees for the event and pay the appropriate conference registration fee.

Thanks in advance for the help - this one is really bothering me!

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

If company personnel will be attending these conferences in addition to or rather than staffing the exhibit, they must register as attendees for the event and pay the appropriate conference registration fee.

You could put commas where you suggest. However, I wouldn't say it is necessary. The meaning seems clear without them. In additon, a comma represents a pause in speech and I don't feel a great need to pause before and after 'or rather than'.

Best wishes, Clive

RRJohnson · Answer

I think you need the commas as you stated. However the whole sentence seems awkward to me. The "in addition to or rather than" seem to cancel each other out. It seems like you are giving instructions that all conference-attending company personnel whether they are staffing or not will register and pay the fee.

This seems clearer to me:

If company personnel will be attending these conferences, even if they are staffing the exhibit, they must register as attendees for the event and pay the appropriate conference registration fee.

Or:

Even if they are staffing the exhibit, company personnel who will be attending these conferences must register as attendees for the event and pay the appropriate conference registration fee.

Aqua candle 100 · Answer

How should this sentence be punctuated? Everyone can have some free time to spend however he or she pleases.

how should this sentence be punctuated??

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