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Panda blue 483 Posted 7 years ago
Grammar

Type of usage

What do you mean I can't drive the new car.
I've told you before, don't drive the new car.



Is the comma in these examples optional? The second example feels like it needs one but in the first example it appears optional. The second is a command though.








  

Top answer

panda blue 483 The second example feels like it needs one Right. panda blue 483 in the first example it appears optional I'm not sure why you have written it partly in italics. The effect of the italics is to give emphasis to "I can't drive the new car", most probably implying speaker's indignation.

— GPY

  • panda blue 483 The second example feels like it needs one Right.
  • panda blue 483 in the first example it appears optional I'm not sure why you have written it partly in italics.
  • The effect of the italics is to give emphasis to "I can't drive the new car", most probably implying speaker's indignation.
  • The italics somewhat obscure the need for a comma to separate the parts, but a comma seems desirable.
  • It also needs a question mark: What do you mean, I can't drive the new car?
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2 Answers
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panda blue 483The second example feels like it needs one

Right.

panda blue 483in the first example it appears optional

I'm not sure why you have written it partly in italics. The effect of the italics is to give emphasis to "I can't drive the new car", most probably implying speaker's indignation. The italics somew

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Hmf.

I think actually there are two potential meanings:

What do you mean? I can't drive the new car?
What do you mean I can't drive the new car?

The first one is questioning what is meant. The second is understanding the meaning but questioning the reason or legitimacy.

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