Using "the" in the middle of a sentence.

Question

"When you eat food, the food goes down into your stomach."Is the comma necessary in this sentence?Thanks for the help.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Yes.

One would normally say'it' rather than repeat 'food'.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you very much Clive. "When I go to buy cheese, the deli never has any available."

Does that sentence also need the comma?

Is there a common example when "the" in the middle of a sentence is not preceded by a comma?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

When I go to buy cheese, the deli never has any available."

Does that sentence also need the comma?

Is there a common example when "the" in the middle of a sentence is not preceded by a comma?

Generally speaking, I'd say the comma is usually a good idea. As the parts of the sentence get shorter, and easier for the reader to grasp, it seems a bit less necessary. eg When he died the world mourned.

Even here, I'd probably prefer a comma. It's a style thing, in my opinion.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous"When you eat food, the food goes down into your stomach."

Is the comma necessary in this sentence?

After an introductory when, while, before, after, until, once, as soon as, since, because, unless, or if clause (any subordinate clause, really), use a comma. It has nothing to do with the word "the".

When you hear the bell ring, go to the counter and pick up your order.

No commas before 'the'. Comma after the when clause.

Do not use a comma when these types of clauses occur after the main clause.

Go to the counter and pick up your order when you hear the bell ring.

CJ

Using "the" in the middle of a sentence.

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