Not sure how to punctuate this

Question

I feel like an extra comma is needed in the statement below, but I'm not sure. I'm also wondering whether there's already too many commas.

Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and most of all, your warm caring heart.
Do I need a comma between "warm" and "caring"? Is this statement even written properly?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]I feel like an extra comma is needed in the statement below, but I'm not sure. I'm also wondering whether ... all, your warm caring heart. Do I need a comma between "warm" and "caring"? Is this statement even written properly?[/nq]
Yes, you want a comma after "warm". You also either want one after "and", or else need to drop the one after "all": commas, like policemen, often go about in pairs. An alternative is the underused dash:

Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and most of all your warm, caring heart.
It lowers the comma pile-up and better emphasis the thought.

Cordially,
Eric Walker, Owlcroft House
(URL removed)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I feel like an extra comma is needed in the ... between "warm" and "caring"? Is this statement even written properly?[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, you want a comma after "warm". You also either want one after "and", or else need to drop the ... your empathy, your dedication, and most of all your warm, caring heart. It lowers the comma pile-up and better emphasis the thought.[/nq]
I would agree that the dashes are better (although I only use one at a time - with a space either side - even if some purists reckon that, grammatically, it is not the way to do it).
I would also consider brackets.
"Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and (most of all), your warm caring heart."
It is debatable whether a comma (the 'Oxford Comma') is needed after "dedication". Some recommend that it should be avoided (if possible). http://punctuateaware.co.uk/
Finally, as "for" is a long way back, near the beginning of the sentence, I think I would consider repeating it before the final "your". It just sound better.
"Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication and (most of all), for your warm caring heart."

Ian

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I would agree that the dashes are better (although I only use one at a time - with a space ... also consider brackets. "Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and (most of all), your warm caring heart."[/nq]
The comma after "all)" should be removed; the closing parenthesis already separates "most of all" from the rest. I think a comma should separate "warm" and "caring", because you could write "warm and caring heart" or "caring and warm heart".
Bill in Kentucky

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I would agree that the dashes are better (although I ... your dedication, and (most of all), your warm caring heart."[/nq]
[nq:1]The comma after "all)" should be removed; the closing parenthesis already separates "most of all" from the rest.[/nq]
Yes, that indeed would be correct. My mistake.
[nq:1]I think a comma should separate "warm" and "caring", because you could write "warm and caring heart" or "caring and warm heart".[/nq]
Strictly speaking, yes, as 'correct' grammar says that you should have comma(s) between two or more adjectives. But there are those who feel that, sometimes, the comma is often superfluous - unless it is needed to emphasise what would be, in any case, a natural slight pause between the adjectives. Personally, on this occasion, I don't think that a comma adds much to the reading or the meaning. (Sorry for all the commas!)
Ian

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I feel like an extra comma is needed in the statement below, but I'm not sure. I'm also wondering whether ... all, your warm caring heart. Do I need a comma between "warm" and "caring"? Is this statement even written properly?[/nq]
Looks fine to me except I would remove the second, third and fourth "your"

Tautology, dontcha know !

The Canadian Curmudgeon (in Calgary)
Fix the biosphere - eliminate people

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I would agree that the dashes are better (although I only use one at a time - with a space either side - even if some purists reckon that, grammatically, it is not the way to do it).[/nq]
Grammar has nothing to do with the typography of dashes nothing and the typography of dashes is governed primarily by typesetting, not typing, although what computers can do blurs the line between the two. When I were a lad studying typing (on an L.C. Smith upright), we were taught to use two consecutive hits of the "-" key to generate a dash, with no space at either end. But the form of a single "-" with spaces on either side (and there's a large recent thread about "either side" available in either AEU or AUE) conveys the same message: "There's a dash here."
[nq:1]I would also consider brackets. "Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and (most of all), your warm caring heart."[/nq]
In which case you don't need the comma after the phrase in round brackets (or as we Murricans call them, "parentheses" (no joke)).
[nq:1]It is debatable whether a comma (the 'Oxford Comma') is needed after "dedication". Some recommend that it should be avoided (if possible). http://punctuateaware.co.uk/[/nq]
You can find crackpots anywhere.
More seriously, large groups of people line up on both sides of the serial ("Oxford") comma question. We're not going to resolve the debate here.
[nq:1]Finally, as "for" is a long way back, near the beginning of the sentence, I think I would consider repeating it before the final "your". It just sound better.[/nq]
It just sound as if you lost the grammatical thread halfway through. If you want a "for" before the final "your," you need an "and" before the penultimate "your."
[nq:1]"Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication and (most of all), for your warm caring heart."[/nq]
Oy!

Bob Lieblich
Agent Oy Oy Seven

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I feel like an extra comma is needed in the ... between "warm" and "caring"? Is this statement even written properly?[/nq]
[nq:1]Looks fine to me except I would remove the second, third and fourth "your" Tautology, dontcha know ![/nq]
I wouild carry on and remove 'and most of all your warm caring heart'. 'Thank you for your kindness, empathy and dedication', says it all without descending into what strikes me as soppy meaningless nonsense.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I feel like an extra comma is needed in the statement below, but I'm not sure. I'm also wondering whether there's already too many commas. Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and most of all, your warm caring heart.[/nq]
When I get into situations similar to the one that concerns you, I generally find my sentences are too long. Consider breaking it into two sentences that are clear and concise. Since you said "most of all", it may add emphasis by being in its own sentence, like:

Thank you for your kindness, empathy and dedication. Most of all, thank you for your warm, caring heart.
Lou

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1](SNIP)[/nq]
[nq:2]I would also consider brackets. "Thank you for your kindness, your empathy, your dedication, and (most of all), your warm caring heart."[/nq]
[nq:1]In which case you don't need the comma after the phrase in round brackets (or as we Murricans call them, "parentheses" (no joke)).[/nq]
Does everyone agree with the following? (View with a monospace font.)

Symbol BrE AmE
( ) brackets, or parentheses
round brackets
( ) square brackets brackets
{ } curly brackets braces
angle brackets angle brackets
(SNIP)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1](SNIP)[/nq]
[nq:2]In which case you don't need the comma after the phrase in round brackets (or as we Murricans call them, "parentheses" (no joke)).[/nq]
[nq:1]Does everyone agree with the following? (View with a monospace font.) Symbol BrE AmE ( ) brackets, or parentheses round brackets ( ) square brackets brackets { } curly brackets braces angle brackets angle brackets[/nq]
Dunno..
I'm no expert.
I would have said that the BrE names are what the Br man-in-the-street usually calls them. The AmE are what Br academics call them.
Oam

Not sure how to punctuate this

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