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Daithy Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

To set off a name with commas or not to set off a name with commas?

The way I understand it is that you should set off the name if it is already sufficiently identified. I came across this example in a book, and I think that the name should not be in commas. Am I wrong?

"They were depicted in a painting in 1795 by English artist and writer, William Blake, who appears to have been very influenced by Gnostic thought."
  

Top answer

You're right, the first comma shouldn't be there. ) This is because, as you suggest, "by English artist and writer" is not sufficient information in itself. This would be OK: "...

— GPY

  • You're right, the first comma shouldn't be there.
  • ) This is because, as you suggest, "by English artist and writer" is not sufficient information in itself.
  • This would be OK: "...
  • "
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8 Answers
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You're right, the first comma shouldn't be there. (The second one is OK as it sets off the "who" clause.) This is because, as you suggest, "by English artist and writer" is not sufficient information in itself. This would be OK:

"... by an English artist and writer, William Blake, ..."
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GPYYou're right, the first comma shouldn't be there. (The second one is OK as it sets off the "who" clause.) This is because, as you suggest, "by English artist and writer" is not sufficient information in itself. This would be OK:"... by an English artist and writer, William Blake, ..."
Thank you, but you still have the first comma there
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Here are some examples and punctuation rules for appositives: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/596/01/

"They were depicted in a painting in 1795 by the English artist and writer William Blake, who appears to have been very influenced by Gnostic thought."
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DaithyThank you, but you still have the first comma there ."...by an English artist and writer William Blake, ..."
Um, that was intentional. With "an" the first comma is correct because "by an English artist and writer" is self-sufficient.
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AlpheccaStars"They were depicted in a painting in 1795 by the English artist and writer William Blake, who appears to have been very influenced by Gnostic thought."
Do you mean to say that you think "the" is required?
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GPY DaithyThank you, but you still have the first comma there ."...by an English artist and writer William Blake, ..."Um, that was intentional. With "an" the first comma is correct because "by an English artist and writer" is self-sufficient.
All right
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GPYDo you mean to say that you think "the" is required?
No, it is not required, but my personal style would be to use the definite article. No article is also OK.
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