Please look at my sentence

Question

If you find no time for politeness and for checking that the guests are comfortable, because of your remaining busy with the schedule, I shall give you less than what I give to those who are hospitable.

I believe the commas are correctly placed but I’m having trouble with the comma before ‘because’ and after ‘schedule.’ It makes it sound like that part is not necessary and can be removed, but it is not. It’s essential for the correct meaning. What’s your advice?

Englishmaven · Accepted Answer

There is no essential or restrictive phrase or clause in this sentence, so that is not really a concern. Remember that essential in grammar does not mean important. It means the information is necessary for clarity, to avoid confusion or ambiguity. Your information is important, but not essential.

You may keep the commas as you have them if you feel they improve the reading of the sentence. If you were to remove the comma before "because," no change in meaning would happen. The sentence is really the same. You do want to keep the comma after schedule because the sentence begins with a dependent clause followed by an adverbial phrase. It is the custom to place a comma in that position, after "schedule."

I would rewrite you second sentence using "will," rather than "shall," bearing in mind that I am a person who uses "shall" quite a bit compared to most native speakers. I would insert "more" before "hospitable."

Please look at my sentence

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions