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Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
The "like" commas
I often get confused as to whether to put a comma before "like" in a sentence or not. I'm not sure what the rules are, or if there are any definitive ones. For example:
"I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without my direction or command like the rest of you had.”
Does grammar call for a comma before "like" there, or is it something optional?
Thanks.
"I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without my direction or command like the rest of you had.”
Does grammar call for a comma before "like" there, or is it something optional?
Thanks.
Top answer
You have an appositive there that needs a second comma to set it off. "Without my direction or command" is in apposition to "on their own". ”
- You have an appositive there that needs a second comma to set it off.
- "Without my direction or command" is in apposition to "on their own".
- ”
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5 Answers
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You have an appositive there that needs a second comma to set it off. "Without my direction or command" is in apposition to "on their own". That comma would be necessary whether "like" was there or not: "I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without my direction or command, like the rest of you had.”
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Hi,
"I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without my direction or command like the rest of you had.”
The bold part sounds wrong to me.
. . . like the rest of you had what ?
I don't see the imp
"I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without my direction or command like the rest of you had.”
The bold part sounds wrong to me.
. . . like the rest of you had what ?
I don't see the imp
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Well, they had his direction and command. That's what the likeness is all about. Would it be better if it ended with "you?"
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Hi,
It just sounds very awkward too me. I suggest
eg I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without the direction or command from me that the rest of you had.
Actually, the word 'command' sounds odd to me as well. What's the
It just sounds very awkward too me. I suggest
eg I wanted to see how they would turn out on their own, without the direction or command from me that the rest of you had.
Actually, the word 'command' sounds odd to me as well. What's the
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It's neither, but much more like the first, rather than the second, example you gave, and they are definitely under his command. And it's one group that he's speaking to about two other people that aren't presently in the room.
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