0
Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Question about comma use
This is a pretty high-level question about comma use. I'm an experienced writer and am VERY good with grammar and mechanics, but my professor and I disagree about a particular point. I think that the following sentence has correct punctuation:
""During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and parents, and after his shift ended, he wandered the fair."
My professor thinks that the sentence should have a comma after the "and" joining the sentences, so:
"During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and parents, and, after his shift ended, he wandered the fair."
My argument is that the comma after "and" would only be appropriate if the content following the word "and" was the second part of a compound predicate. In other words, I believe it would be appropriate to say:
"During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and parents, and, after his shift ended, wandered the fair." ["He," the subject, extends to both predicates--"checked the identification..." and "wandered the fair."]
But as it is, I think that the two halves of the sentence, meaning the half before "and" and the half after "and," are to be treated as independent clauses unto themselves, which would make the second comma extraneous. Can anyone explain what the proper form of the sentence is and why? Specifically, is it incorrect to use the second comma? I would really appreciate your help.
""During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and parents, and after his shift ended, he wandered the fair."
My professor thinks that the sentence should have a comma after the "and" joining the sentences, so:
"During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and parents, and, after his shift ended, he wandered the fair."
My argument is that the comma after "and" would only be appropriate if the content following the word "and" was the second part of a compound predicate. In other words, I believe it would be appropriate to say:
"During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and parents, and, after his shift ended, wandered the fair." ["He," the subject, extends to both predicates--"checked the identification..." and "wandered the fair."]
But as it is, I think that the two halves of the sentence, meaning the half before "and" and the half after "and," are to be treated as independent clauses unto themselves, which would make the second comma extraneous. Can anyone explain what the proper form of the sentence is and why? Specifically, is it incorrect to use the second comma? I would really appreciate your help.
Top answer
It's a little difficult to follow all your examples & 'ands", so I'll just give my suggested version: During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and, after his shift ended, he wandered the fair. The highlighted commas separate the time expression, much like the very first comma in the sentence. There is no need to have a comma after 'students' because there is not a change in or repetition of subject.
- It's a little difficult to follow all your examples & 'ands", so I'll just give my suggested version: During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and, after his shift ended, he wandered the fair.
- The highlighted commas separate the time expression, much like the very first comma in the sentence.
- There is no need to have a comma after 'students' because there is not a change in or repetition of subject.
- Besides, that would look overladen with comas.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
It's a little difficult to follow all your examples & 'ands", so I'll just give my suggested version:
During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and, after his shift ended, he wandered the fair.
The highlighted commas separate the time expression, much like the very first comma in the sentence. There is no need to have a comma after 'students' because
During this time, he checked the identification of incoming students and, after his shift ended, he wandered the fair.
The highlighted commas separate the time expression, much like the very first comma in the sentence. There is no need to have a comma after 'students' because
00
I agree with this revision. Also, why not simply separate the statement into two sentences? I know this doesn't solve the dilemma, but it would certainly make the passage easier to read. I suppose this reply comes a bit late, but I was checking another comma rule and stumbled upon this post.
0
Related Questions