The use of comma

Question

Hi, I am a teacher teaching English in China. I recently completed 8 letters in English which I am going to use in my class. I had them proofread by a Cambridge-based company, but I am confused by a few corrections made to the letters regarding the use of comma. Could someone here explain why the corrections have been made, or whether such changes are really necessary? Thanks very much!

1,
My sentence (orginal): How are you? I am sorry to tell you that the gas grill which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night, got broken.
The sentence after correction: How are you? I am sorry to tell you that the gas grill, which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night, got broken.

2,
My sentence (original):That way we’ll save money too, won’t we?
The sentence after correction: That way we’ll save money, too, won’t we?

3,
My sentence (original): I saved quite a bit of money too by staying with you, as hotels tend to be rather expensive in Ireland.
The sentence after correction: I saved quite a bit of money, too, by staying with you, as hotels tend to be rather expensive in Ireland

4,
My sentence (original): As you know, I currently work at my grandfather’s restaurant, and you will remember from my entry interview that I have gained useful experience there.
The sentence after correction: As you know, I currently work at my grandfather’s restaurant and you will remember, from my entry interview, that I have gained useful experience there.

5,
My sentence (original):I am writing to complain about the terrible experience I had while shopping in your supermarket last Friday.
The sentence after correction: I am writing to complain about the terrible experience I had while shopping in your supermarket, last Friday.

Thanks very much!

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

There is no supreme authority with regard to punctuation in English. That's why opinions differ. Here's what I think about your sentences.

seaviewI am sorry to tell you that the gas grill which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night, got broken.

I think all would agree that the punctuation is incorrect since there is no comma at the beginning of the relative clause but there is one at the end of it. The suggested correction is fine. However, one might interpret the relative clause differently and drop both commas. In that case especially Americans would prefer that instead of which as a relative pronoun.

seaviewMy sentence (original):That way we’ll save money too, won’t we? The sentence after correction: That way we’ll save money, too, won’t we?

I consider both versions correct. The comma is often dropped before too at the end of a sentence.

seaviewMy sentence (original): I saved quite a bit of money too by staying with you, as hotels tend to be rather expensive in Ireland. The sentence after correction: I saved quite a bit of money, too, by staying with you, as hotels tend to be rather expensive in Ireland

I would probably set too off with commas as suggested, but that doesn't mean I would think your original sentence wrong.

seaviewMy sentence (original): As you know, I currently work at my grandfather’s restaurant, and you will remember from my entry interview that I have gained useful experience there. The sentence after correction: As you know, I currently work at my grandfather’s restaurant and you will remember, from my entry interview, that I have gained useful experience there.

I see no reason to set off from my interview with commas. I prefer your original sentence. In some other languages the comma before and is required because the two clauses have a different grammatical subject but in English many people leave it out. Either way is fine with me.

seaviewMy sentence (original):I am writing to complain about the terrible experience I had while shopping in your supermarket last Friday. The sentence after correction: I am writing to complain about the terrible experience I had while shopping in your supermarket, last Friday.

I see no reason to use a comma before last Friday. However, a comma seems to emphasise last Friday as it forces the reader to pause before it. I certainly don't consider dropping the comma a mistake.

CB

Seaview · Answer

Thanks very much, CB!!! I appreciate your help!

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe I'm the weakest one among of u all. So,would you please help me learn a little more about grammar and also would you mind me terribly if ask you any question about grammar.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Anonymous Maybe I'm the weakest one among of u all. So,would you please help me learn a little more about grammar and also would you mind me terribly if ask you any question about grammar.

This is the forum for grammar questions. By all means, post your questions here and someone will answer all reasonable ones.

CB

Anonymous · Answer

Hi
most of your sentences have non-defining relative clauses which should be put between commas.
unnecessary explanations!

Anonymous · Answer

The clauses are not necessary to the sentences, so they are separated with commas.  For example, in your first sentence, about the grill, you have the phrase "which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night".  The sentence would have been complete without it. "I am sorry to tell you that the gas grill got broken."  A clauses might be needed to describe a particular item, or to clarify meaning, but is not grammatically necessary to the sentence.

Anonymous · Answer

1- If you had used "that" instead of which, you could have gotten by without any commas at all. The way you wrote, with one comma, just didn't work.
2 and 3- The proofreader believes that "too" always should be preceded by a comma. Silly rule that results in cluttered sentences.
4- Another totally unnecessary comma. I am sure they can justify it, but if the comma doesn't clarify a sentence or make it easier to read, it just shouldn't be there.
5-Another unnecessary comma.
My advice? Find a better proofreader! Only your first example needed correction.

CalifJim · Answer

I have used blue to highlight my preferences.
1,
My sentence (orginal): How are you? I am sorry to tell you that the gas grill which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night, got broken.
The sentence after correction: How are you? I am sorry to tell you that the gas grill, which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night, got broken.
OR
How are you? I am sorry to tell you that the gas grill which I borrowed from you for my son’s birthday party last night got broken.

Two commas or no commas. This corresponds to a non-restrictive relative clause and a restrictive relative clause, respectively.

2,
My sentence (original):That way we’ll save money too, won’t we?
The sentence after correction: That way we’ll save money, too, won’t we?
Either one. Some authorities insist that "too" be set off by commas. Others don't.

3,
My sentence (original): I saved quite a bit of money too by staying with you, as hotels tend to be rather expensive in Ireland.
The sentence after correction: I saved quite a bit of money, too, by staying with you, as hotels tend to be rather expensive in Ireland
See 2, above.

4,
My sentence (original): As you know, I currently work at my grandfather’s restaurant, and you will remember from my entry interview that I have gained useful experience there.
The sentence after correction: As you know, I currently work at my grandfather’s restaurant and you will remember, from my entry interview, that I have gained useful experience there.
I prefer a comma before an and that introduces a clause with its own subject. I see no reason to set off "from my entry interview" with commas.

5,
My sentence (original):I am writing to complain about the terrible experience I had while shopping in your supermarket last Friday.
The sentence after correction: I am writing to complain about the terrible experience I had while shopping in your supermarket, last Friday.
In my opinion setting off "last Friday" with a comma is a really bad idea!

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

I can think of following explanations here:

1. Comma needs to be used before and after words or phrases let into the body of a sentence.

2. Comma is used with "too" to emphasize the thought, but not mandatory.

3. Can be concluded from my explanations for 1st and 2nd sentences..

4. Phrase " from my entry interview" is let into the sentence between the words "remember that"; therefor the commas are used.

5.Comma is used before a phrase's time specifier if you need to emphasize the time of the event. In this case, as a complain is being lodged, it makes sense to emphasize the time.

The use of comma

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions