Questions on comma uses

Question

Hi. I have some questions on comma uses in conjunction with the following sentences. Please help.

1. Would you say the underlined part is restrictive and would you also say it has a comma in front of it eventhough it is restrictive? If it was restrictive, would you say the comma is used to allow a breathing space or prevent/avoid confusion? If yes, which one - a breathing space or to prevent/avoid confusion?

The scholarships are awarded to students enrolled for at least 9 semester hours in a degree-seeking program, who show demonstrated need.

2. Would you say the comma before the underlined part is placed to allow a breathing space or prevent/avoid confusion?

It befuddles/confuses me hear someone say it was just as effective delivering his teachings, as it was before it came into being.

3. Would you say the decision to put a comma before adverbs or short adverbial phrases or adverbs at the front of sentences like the ones below (I think they are adverbs or short adverbial phrases or adverbs - not sure, though), the decision to put a comma or not to put a comma after them depends on whether you or the writer of the sentences wants to emphasize them or not?

For two months (a comma?) he stayed home to work on his book.

In the previous two years (a comma?) he has gone to the institute to develop his skills.

Hastily (a comma?) he packed his bags and left.

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

Anonymous
1. Would you say the underlined part is restrictive and would you also say it has a comma in front of it eventhough it is restrictive? If it was restrictive, would you say the comma is used to allow a breathing space or prevent/avoid confusion? If yes, which one - a breathing space or to prevent/avoid confusion?

The scholarships are awarded to students enrolled for at least 9 semester hours in a degree-seeking program, who show demonstrated need.

It seems that it must be restrictive. I suppose the author felt that a "breathing space" was needed, but to me the comma seems illogical and potentially confusing.

Anonymous
2. Would you say the comma before the underlined part is placed to allow a breathing space or prevent/avoid confusion?

It befuddles/confuses me hear someone say it was just as effective delivering his teachings, as it was before it came into being.

Again, the comma is not required in my opinion. It messes up the flow of the sentence. (By the way, I also have no idea what the sentence means. Perhaps it's clearer in context.)

Anonymous
3. Would you say the decision to put a comma before adverbs or short adverbial phrases or adverbs at the front of sentences like the ones below (I think they are adverbs or short adverbial phrases or adverbs - not sure, though), the decision to put a comma or not to put a comma after them depends on whether you or the writer of the sentences wants to emphasize them or not?

For two months (a comma?) he stayed home to work on his book.

In the previous two years (a comma?) he has gone to the institute to develop his skills.

Hastily (a comma?) he packed his bags and left.

To me, all these sentences are acceptable either with or without a comma.* I don't see emphasis as a major part of the reason why you would include or exclude a comma here. To me, it's more about readability (and since I find the sentences equally easy to parse with or without commas, I see them as optional).

*Though on balance I think I prefer to omit them.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi. Thank you for your help.

You wrote:

Anonymous

“

1. Would you say the underlined part is restrictive and would you also say it has a comma in front of it eventhough it is restrictive? If it was restrictive, would you say the comma is used to allow a breathing space or prevent/avoid confusion? If yes, which one - a breathing space or to prevent/avoid confusion?

The scholarships are awarded to students enrolled for at least 9 semester hours in a degree-seeking program, who show demonstrated need.

”

It seems that it must be restrictive. I suppose the author felt that a "breathing space" was needed, but to me the comma seems illogical and potentially confusing.

Could you tell me if it is OK to put/have a comma before a restrictive clause to allow/give a "breathing space"?

As for the example sentence below, would you say the underlined part is restrictive or not? I think it is not restrictive. I also think it could be written "This set contains a video record recorded by an acquaintance of his on the spectacular life of the player" with the underlined part being restrictive.

This set contains a video record on the spectacular life of the player, recorded by an acquaintance of his.

Mr Wordy · Answer

Anonymous
Could you tell me if it is OK to put/have a comma before a restrictive clause to allow/give a "breathing space"?

I can't think of an example where a comma would be a good idea. The problem, it seems to me, is that a comma inevitably directs the reader towards believing that the clause is non-restrictive.

Anonymous
As for the example sentence below, would you say the underlined part is restrictive or not? I think it is not restrictive. [...]

This set contains a video record on the spectacular life of the player, recorded by an acquaintance of his.

I agree. (I would say "record of".)

Anonymous
I also think it could be written "This set contains a video record recorded by an acquaintance of his on the spectacular life of the player" with the underlined part being restrictive.

The lack of commas indicates that it is intended to be restrictive. However, the sentence would arguably read better, and with effectively very little change in meaning, with commas around the clause (making it non-restrictive).

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you for your help.

Questions on comma uses

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions