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Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Rural or pastoral
a. He wrote rural or pastoral poetry.
b. He wrote rural, or pastoral, poetry.
Should the commas be there?
I think the words 'rural' and 'pastoral' have been used synonymously in this sentence. I guess that means that the commas are necessary. However, my 'research' on the net seems to indicate that they are often omitted. Maybe it is because it is obvious that the words are synonymous? Or maybe, as we have single words and not phrases the commas are not deemed necessary.
Thank you.
b. He wrote rural, or pastoral, poetry.
Should the commas be there?
I think the words 'rural' and 'pastoral' have been used synonymously in this sentence. I guess that means that the commas are necessary. However, my 'research' on the net seems to indicate that they are often omitted. Maybe it is because it is obvious that the words are synonymous? Or maybe, as we have single words and not phrases the commas are not deemed necessary.
Thank you.
Top answer
azz Should the commas be there? No. Why antagonize your reader?
- azz Should the commas be there?
- No.
- Why antagonize your reader?
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3 Answers
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azzShould the commas be there?No. Why antagonize your reader?
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Thank you very much Mr. Micawber,
So even if they are synonymous the comma is not needed?
I thought the rule was that if they were synonymous you needed a comma.
Many thanks.
So even if they are synonymous the comma is not needed?
I thought the rule was that if they were synonymous you needed a comma.
Many thanks.
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azzThank you very much Mr. Micawber,So even if they are synonymous the comma is not needed?I thought the rule was that if they were synonymous you needed a comma.Many thanks.Right.
azzI thought the rule was that if they were synonymous you needed a comma.There is no such rule that I know of.
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