Why comma here?

Question

Hi,
why do you need a comma for these questions for riddles I found in a book titled "101 American English Riddles" by Harry Collis? I feel the comma usage for this type of thing is discretionary without any firm rules to guide the use. Why is the first one has a comma, whereas the second one doesn't?

1.What comes down, but never goes up?

2.What is black when it is cle

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
why do you need a comma for these questions for riddles I found in a book titled "101 American English Riddles" by Harry Collis? I feel the comma usage for this type of thing is discretionary without any firm rules to guide the use. Why is the first one has a comma, whereas the second one doesn't?

1.What comes down, but never goes up?

2.What is black when it is clean and white when it is dirty?

Yes, commas in such cases are often discretionary. Riddles like this tyically have two parts, so a comma is often used to indicate to the reader that he should pause and think about the first part for a moment, before reading the second part.

Actually, I feel that the comma is not particularly needed in #1, because the whole riddle is so short and easy to comprehend. However, I think I'd prefer to use a comma in #2 after 'clean'. This would help the reader identify the first part more easily. Without it, he may initially read the question as
(What is black when it is clean and white) (when it is dirty)?
and then have to read it agian to get the true meaning.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive · Answer

Hi,
why do you need a comma for these questions for riddles I found in a book titled "101 American English Riddles" by Harry Collis? I feel the comma usage for this type of thing is discretionary without any firm rules to guide the use. Why is the first one has a comma, whereas the second one doesn't?

1.What comes down, but never goes up?

2.What is black when it is clean and white when it is dirty?

Yes, commas in such cases are often discretionary. Riddles like this tyically have two parts, so a comma is often used to indicate to the reader that he should pause and think about the first part for a moment, before reading the second part.

Actually, I feel that the comma is not particularly needed in #1, because the whole riddle is so short and easy to comprehend. However, I think I'd prefer to use a comma in #2 after 'clean'. This would help the reader identify the first part more easily. Without it, he may initially read the question as
(What is black when it is clean and white) (when it is dirty)?
and then have to read it again to get the true meaning.

Best wishes, Clive

Why comma here?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions