16 Jun 09
I am learning English school-related. In my book I saw a lot of 'missing' commas. Can I conclude commas aren't used that much in English?
I am not sure about this, because the Dutch part contains a lot of comma errors.
Examples:
These chairs are so old that you can't sit on them.
Mr Brown himself was not at home but his wife was.
16 Jun 09
1 edit
Originally posted by ThomasterI don't know english punctuation that well, but in general it's like this in all languages:
I am learning English school-related. In my book I saw a lot of 'missing' commas. Can I conclude commas aren't used that much in English?
I am not sure about this, because the Dutch part contains a lot of comma errors.
Examples:
These chairs are so old that you can't sit on them.
Mr Brown himself was not at home but his wife was.
if you write for school/work/reports, stick to the rules. no exceptions.
but if you want to write well, mostly ignore the rules and punctuate as feels natural. that is, the most commas will exist in order to allow the hypothetical reader to breathe. because everything you write should roll off the tongue effortlessly when read aloud. which is why most good writers do read their text aloud, and change it until it works. journalist seem to seldom do that, as their texts tend to be much more klunky. - but none of this applies to school/work.
"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."
-Elmore Leonard
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by wormwoodIf I would place a comma every time I hear one, I would place a comma after every word😞
but if you want to write well, mostly ignore the rules and punctuate as feels natural. that is, the most commas will exist in order to allow the hypothetical reader to breathe. because everything you write should roll off the tongue effortlessly when read aloud. which is why most good writers do read their text aloud, and change it until it works. journalis ...[text shortened]... this applies to school/work.
"If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it."
-Elmore Leonard
16 Jun 09
1 edit
Originally posted by ThomasterI seem to remember that putting a comma before 'that' is strictly forbidden. don't have my grammar bible here though, and it's been 20 years...
I would use a comma in both sentences:
These chairs are so old, that you can't sit on them.
Mr Brown himself was not at home, but his wife was.
Are both correct?
EDIT:
What would the English say?
I wonder, if ..
or
I wonder if ..
in practice such rules are largely ignored though.
where are all the grammar nazis when we need them??
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by Thomasterdon't look to postings in a web forum for accuracy. Understand the difference between writing for craft and writing for expediency
I am learning English school-related. In my book I saw a lot of 'missing' commas. Can I conclude commas aren't used that much in English?
I am not sure about this, because the Dutch part contains a lot of comma errors.
Examples:
These chairs are so old that you can't sit on them.
Mr Brown himself was not at home but his wife was.
16 Jun 09
2 edits
The post that was quoted here has been removedI wouldn't use a comma in either of those examples. They're unnecessary.
The himself could be used, if it was an answer to a question for example: "were Mr and Mrs Brown at home?"
Otherwise, I think not.
I remember reading a while ago that there are slightly different comma usage rules between US and UK English. In a list the US versions leave out the last comma.
eg. sausage, mash and spam. US
sausage, mash, and spam. UK
[interesting fact eh?]