I know it's a general question, not directly related to your subject

Question

Between the given sentences which one has the more correct punctuation, assuming no other mistakes? Please help.

1:I know it's a general question, not directly related to your subject but who else would I have asked to?
2:I know it's a general question, not directly related to your subject, but who else would I have asked to?

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

"... but who else would I have asked to?" is wrong. Depending on exactly what you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.

In terms of punctuation, #1 does not seem right. #2 seems OK, with the comma after "question" optional.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Hi Mr. W.

Mr Wordy"... but who else would I have asked to?" is wrong.

Is it wrong grammatically? How? What about, who else would I have asked to for help? Is it to which is making it incorrect?

Mr WordyDepending on exactly what you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.

I understand what you are saying. My poor command of English leads to a problem of syntax with the above quoted text.

Okay, that's what you meant. So depending on exactly you intended (meant), this is more appropriate. Or: Okay, that's what you meant. So depending on exactly you intended (meant), this is/can be a possibility.

I haven't told you yet what exactly I meant, then how can you point out a possibility? If you had written something like: "..." is/can be a possibility, but it will depend on what exactly you meant/intended.

Do I make any sense? Please help me.

Mr Wordy · Answer

Jackson6612Is it wrong grammatically? How? What about, who else would I have asked to for help? Is it to which is making it incorrect?

"to" is one problem. You do not ask to someone, you just ask them. However, "who else would I have asked (for help)?" is still not really right. This use of the word "would" feels strange in this sentence: it gives a sense that is too hypothetical or philosophical for the context.

Jackson6612I haven't told you yet what exactly I meant, then how can you point out a possibility?

A possibility can always be suggested, even if the situation is.uncertain. That's the essence of the word "possibility".

Jackson6612 · Answer

Mr WordyDepending on exactly what you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.

What difference would it have made if the position of 'exactly' had been switched?

Depending on what exactly you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.

Mr Wordy · Answer

Jackson6612What difference would it have made if the position of 'exactly' had been switched? Depending on what exactly you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.

No difference. "what exactly" is also OK and has the same meaning.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Is there a significant difference in meaning between the two?

1: Depending on exactly what you intended, "...but I don't know who else to ask". is a possibility.
2: Depending on exactly what you intended, "...but I don't know who else to ask". can be a possibility.

Please let me and I hope you won't mind all these questions. Thanks.

Mr Wordy · Answer

Jackson6612Is there a significant difference in meaning between the two?
1: Depending on exactly what you intended, "...but I don't know who else to ask". is a possibility.
2: Depending on exactly what you intended, "...but I don't know who else to ask". can be a possibility.

There's not much difference in meaning, but the second sentence doesn't seem very natural.

Jackson6612 · Answer

Mr Wordy"... but who else would I have asked to?" is wrong. Depending on exactly what you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.

I beleive the use of 'Depending' was hindering my understanding of the sentence above. If I use it in http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depending, then the picture is somewhat clear. Did you intend to use it in that sense? It would roughly translate to: Pending on exactly what you intended, this is a possibility. Pending on your final decision, joing army can be a good choice, if you ask me.

Mr Wordy · Answer

Jackson6612
Mr Wordy"... but who else would I have asked to?" is wrong. Depending on exactly what you intended, "... but I don't know who else to ask." is a possibility.
I beleive the use of 'Depending' was hindering my understanding of the sentence above. If I use it in sense 2, then the picture is somewhat clear. Did you intend to use it in that sense? It would roughly translate to: Pending on exactly what you intended, this is a possibility. Pending on your final decision, joing army can be a good choice, if you ask me.

"Pending on..." is not correct English. "Pending..." may be possible, but it does not mean the same as "Depending on...":

"Pending your final decision..." = Until such time as your final decision is made...

"Depending on your final decision..." = I don't know your final decision. What I am about to say describes something (or various alternative things) that may be true/relevant only if your decision goes a certain way.

"Pending exactly what you intended..." = Doesn't make sense.

"Depending on exactly what you intended..." = I don't know exactly what you intended. What I am about to say describes something (or various alternative things) that may be true/relevant only if you intended a certain thing.

I know it's a general question, not directly related to your subject

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