I think it's to early. Please help me with this comma.

Question

For some odd reason I can't seam to figure out where to put the comma on the next line.

Excellent customer service and leadership skills along with strong verbal and written communication skills are required at all times.

I would usually know without a problem, but for some odd reason I just can't remember this morning. It's funny and sad all at once.

Guest · Accepted Answer

hi guy,
i don't know my advice is completly correct or not but i will try to help you.

Excellent customer service and leadership skills along with strong verbal,and written communication skills are required at all times. I would ususally know without a problem, but for some odd reason I (just) can't remember (on) this morning. It's funny (,-optional) sad all at once.

From.. Gimme. (Ummm... i forgot my password!!)

Mike in Japan · Answer

I don't think any commas are necessary in that sentence. Not being able to think of a place to put commas is a pretty good indication that none are needed.

Jbshakes · Answer

Hi,

Your sentence is grammatically correct without needing any further punctuation. It reads well and its rhythm flows naturally, although, I must concede, it is a little too long. It is the length of the sentence that makes you think you need to punctuate it further. I assure you are correct.

On the other hand, you can perfectly punctuate it to change its meaning or shift emphasis. Let me explain. As it stands now, what the sentence says is that "Excellent customer service"; "leadership skills"; "strong verbal skills"; and "written communication skills" are all noun phrases that are emphasised. They are all qualities that are very essentially required, according to the sentence.

However, if you punctuate the sentence thus:

'Excellent customer service and leadership skills, along with strong verbal and written communication skills, are required at all times'

the meaning of the sentence changes. Putting a comma before '...along...' and
after '...communication skills...' makes that whole phrase an adjunct. What this means is that all the noun phrases between the two commas ie 'strong verbal skills' and 'written communication skills' are just additional information which can be done away with. They are not the prerequiste skills needed, though it is good if one has them. They are de-emphasised.

Please note: any time you have a sentence that has the following structure: '...,together with...,' or '...,plus..., or similar syntax, the nouns within the commas indicated are de-emphasised. Thus the focus of the sentence is on the first grammatical element, which is first noun phrase.

Clearly, punctuation has a lot of impact on meaning and one has to be careful where one puts one's commas, colons and others. I am sorry if I have given an hour's lecture here, but I hope you find my explanation useful. Good luck.

jbshakes is a Senior Writer at Origin8 Advertising in Ghana, West Africa and taught English and Creative Writing at Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Woodward · Answer

Thanks for this jbshakes, it will be useful for many people.

Anonymous · Answer

Here's the answer:

Excellent customer service and leadership skills, along with strong verbal and written communication skills, are required at all times. [along with introduces extra information that should be set off with commas.]

Anonymous · Answer

Well, first of all, your sentence barely makes sense, so, being the kind person I am, I re-wrote it for you:

Excellent customer service, leadership skills, and strong verbal and written communication abilities are needed at all times.

I put in TWO commas for you! hahaha hope this helps

I think it's to early. Please help me with this comma.

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions