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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Put a comma or not?

Hi. Would you place a comma in the places indicated? If you would, would you tell me why you would? Could we argue (or take the position) the participle clauses (I think they are participle clauses) that start with the word "taking" are essential? Could (or possibly "Would) more context add strength to the position it is essential?

1.He went to work (a comma?) taking a short route/way to get there.

2.He went to work (a comma?) taking a short route/way to get there early.

3.He went to work (a comma?) taking a short route/way to get there before 9 a.m.
  

Top answer

I see no difference in the thrust of your sentences. What do you perceive as the difference among 'get there', 'get there early', and 'get there before 9 am'?

— Mister Micawber

  • I see no difference in the thrust of your sentences.
  • What do you perceive as the difference among 'get there', 'get there early', and 'get there before 9 am'?
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4 Answers
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I see no difference in the thrust of your sentences. What do you perceive as the difference among 'get there', 'get there early', and 'get there before 9 am'?
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Hi. Thank you. At the time of writing the sentences, I thought presenting different sentences by adding bits of different phrases to what I thought was the (same) main clause of the sentences would possibly make minor differences in terms of the parts that start with the word "taking" being considered either an essential or non-essential clause (I think they are clauses - not sure, though), but no
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No, they add nothing. Commas are often optional (or they depend upon who is laying down the law). I see 'He went to work' as sufficient unto itself, with the remaining nonfinite clause extra information; however, as usual, context is all:

A: Where's John?
B: He went to work, taking a shortcut to get there before 9 am.

A: Did John go to work as he usually does?
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Hi. Would you care to give me a sentential situation (perhaps not just any sentential situation?) where a comma use would be optional? I have come across many sentential cases or sentences which made me wonder whether it is correct to place a comma before an adverbial phrase or clause, or a subordinate clause. I tried to produce an example to go along with my request but couldn't come up with o
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