0
TeacherJapan Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Need comma?

Nothing bothers me as much as being asked (,) "Do you have any children?"

Does this sentence need comma after "asked?"
  

Top answer

It's a matter of opinion. It is becoming more and more common in British English to forget commas where they have been used for a long time. The Guardian, an English newspaper, writes dates like this: April 27 2016.

— Cool Breeze

  • It's a matter of opinion.
  • It is becoming more and more common in British English to forget commas where they have been used for a long time.
  • The Guardian, an English newspaper, writes dates like this: April 27 2016.
  • The British leave out the comma when they start a letter: Dear/Hi Jack It was a pleasure to read about your...
  • What makes me wonder is the fact that the American hi is often used in such contexts.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

16 Answers
0
It's a matter of opinion. It is becoming more and more common in British English to forget commas where they have been used for a long time. The Guardian, an English newspaper, writes dates like this: April 27 2016. The British leave out the comma when they start a letter:

Dear/Hi Jack
It was a pleasure to read about your...

What makes me wonder is the fact that the American
0
0
teacherJapanDoes this sentence need comma after "asked?"
I agree that it's a matter of opinion. I would not use a comma in that context. I use the comma only in the literary formulas for writing dialog. See below.

She asked, "Do you have any children?"
"I do not," said Pete.

CJ
0
0
Hi

Yes, I think the trend is away from punctuation, unless it really helps the reader to see what you are saying. There's nothing wrong with formal punctuation, in the right place

- She asked, do you have any children?
- No, I don't, Pete replied

That is clear to me

Dave
0
0
dave_anon- She asked, do you have any children?- No, I don't, Pete replied
I'd use a capital letter for the first 'Do'. I always use quotation marks round, or italics for, the actual words spoken.
0
0
dave_anonHiYes, I think the trend is away from punctuation, unless it really helps the reader to see what you are saying. There's nothing wrong with formal punctuation, in the right place- She asked, do you have any children?- No, I don't, Pete repliedThat is clear to meDave
No, I don't, Pete replied. (Is leaving out quotation marks the American way?)
0
0
In American English, should it be "Hi, Jack"? I believe Americans write "Hello, Jack".
0
0
tamguatlayIn American English, should it be "Hi, Jack"? I believe Americans write "Hello, Jack".
Either word is fine. "Hi" is much less formal.

CJ
0
0
CalifJim tamguatlayIn American English, should it be "Hi, Jack"? I believe Americans write "Hello, Jack".Either word is fine. "Hi" is much less formal.CJ
Thanks, CJ. I wonder whether a comma is needed after "Hi". I notice Americans use a comma after "Hello".

Please also reply to my earlier post above. Many thanks.
0
0
tamguatlayI wonder whether a comma is needed after "Hi".
Yes.
tamguatlaymy earlier post
Yes, Americans use the quote marks.

CJ
0
0
Hi

I don't there's anything wrong with the quotes:

- She asked, "Do you have any children?"
- "No, I don't", Pete replied

Personally, I tend to leave out punctuation if it isn't adding anything, but I respect the other view

My feeling is that 'Hello' is now on an equal footing with 'Hi'. Sometimes one will feel right and sometimes the other. When David Bow
0

Related Questions