is a comma needed after "which"

Question

Hi,Do i need the second comma highlighted in aqua? Thank you.I am using the bat, which is made in Japan and cost ten dollars, to beat the dog.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely-- but it needn't be highlighted in aqua.

EnglishRaven · Answer

Yes - the commas before which and after "dollars" indicate an inserted relative clause. This shows that it is the bat used to beat the dog and not the ten dollars (though if I were the dog I'd definitely prefer the latter), or not that it "cost ten dollars to beat the dog".

If "is made" is being used here, I think it might be more accurate to use "costs" - i.e., simple present rather than past tense "cost".

It might also be more appropriate to say "was made in Japan" if it is just one specific bat. Using "is made in Japan" would be relevant to a general kind of bat that is being produced in ongoing fashion, for example:

Agassi is using a new racquet, which is made in Switzerland and costs a lot of money, to beat his opponent.

I am using my bat, which was made in my back yard shed and cost nothing, to play baseball.

I have to say that original sentence sounds a little peculiar - like a sentence made up purely for grammatical highlighting and not any relevant communicative purposes...

I've gone well beyond your initial inquiry there, so apologies for that.

- Jason

is a comma needed after "which"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions