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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
How would you punctuate here
Their son’s test came back stating that he was qualified to be either a carpenter or a seamstress.
A comma conjunction combo can only come if there is an independent clause at either end of the comma, right? If I add a comma before the word, or, it would be incorrect right?
Does a comma have to come before the word: or?
I think that my sentence may be just fine without a comma, but I am not sure.
Please help
A comma conjunction combo can only come if there is an independent clause at either end of the comma, right? If I add a comma before the word, or, it would be incorrect right?
Does a comma have to come before the word: or?
I think that my sentence may be just fine without a comma, but I am not sure.
Please helpTop answer
No comma needed. "either an X or a Y" is a unit which should not be split up with a comma. " Here the second clause has a subject of its own.
- No comma needed.
- "either an X or a Y" is a unit which should not be split up with a comma.
- " Here the second clause has a subject of its own.
- Same for "and".
- I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water.
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4 Answers
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No comma needed.
"either an X or a Y" is a unit which should not be split up with a comma.
But "Either he could be an X, or he could be a Y." Here the second clause has a subject of its own.
Same for "and".
I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water.
I went to the kitchen, and I got a glass of water.
"either an X or a Y" is a unit which should not be split up with a comma.
But "Either he could be an X, or he could be a Y." Here the second clause has a subject of its own.
Same for "and".
I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water.
I went to the kitchen, and I got a glass of water.
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Is there a nickname for the comma that comes before 'and'? An Oxford comma?
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My understanding is that the so-called "Oxford comma" is one used before a conjunction in a list; e.g. bread, milk, and butter.
I do not see the need for this comma in most circumstances. It can also lead to ambiguity:
I left with Tony, my friend, and Simon.
In this example, did l leave with Tony (my friend) and Simon?
Did I leave with Tony, my friend and Simon?
I do not see the need for this comma in most circumstances. It can also lead to ambiguity:
I left with Tony, my friend, and Simon.
In this example, did l leave with Tony (my friend) and Simon?
Did I leave with Tony, my friend and Simon?
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Reverse argument:
Mother, Father and I got on the train.
Am I telling Mother that Father and I got on the train? Or am I stating that all three of us got on the train?
Mother, Father, and I got on the train.
Much clearer. I always use the so-called Oxford comma. I think, more often than not, it removes abiguity rather than causing it. Also, don't commas
Mother, Father and I got on the train.
Am I telling Mother that Father and I got on the train? Or am I stating that all three of us got on the train?
Mother, Father, and I got on the train.
Much clearer. I always use the so-called Oxford comma. I think, more often than not, it removes abiguity rather than causing it. Also, don't commas
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