Help with comma placement?

Forums: English, Grammar, Punctuation, Grammer
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1. Is the comma correct in the following sentence? "In an environment of constant chaos, Dr. Thom continues to thrive."

2. "It takes a while to become allergic, to become sensitive so you’re ready to fight." Is the comma correct? Should it be a semi-colon?

Thank you!

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@gladbead,

put commas where they make sense.

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@gladbead,

Quote:

1……. "…. chaos, Dr. Thom continues to thrive."

Yes but you can omit it, as a matter of style. In general, use a comma where you need a slight pause

You might also say, "Dr. Thom continues to thrive [but] in an environment of constant chaos"

Quote:

2. "…..to become allergic, to become sensitive…..." Is the comma correct?

Yes although the meaning isn't clear. I suppose however that's because it's out of context

Should it be a semi-colon?

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@dalehileman,

Thank you, Dale! Regarding sentence 2, you ask (or were you repeating my question?), "Should it be a semi-colon?" Yes, that's what I'm wondering, too! The second clause is not a complete sentence, which makes me think it should NOT be a semi-colon. But am I wrong?

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@gladbead,

Definitely not a semi-colon there. Use the semi-colon when you have two more or less complete thoughts that don't seem to deserve being in separate sentences. That's not the case here.

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@Lustig Andrei,

Thank you, Andrei. I appreciate your definitiveness.

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@gladbead,

I agree with other posters. I have substantive writing experience (technical material, not "literary") and I still struggle with the matter of commas. Perhaps I have a "block" against this in particular or perhaps it really is a difficult call in many cases.

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@Lustig Andrei,

I am confident that your view lines up that of the "official" experts (e.g. Strunk, etc.). Follow-on question: When one uses the semi-colon as you prescribe, should the first word of the second sentence be capitalized or not?

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@gladbead,

Quote:

which makes me think it should NOT be a semi-colon. But am I wrong?

No you're not. Sorry I missed that q

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@Andrew H,

Andrew H wrote:

I am confident that your view lines up that of the "official" experts (e.g. Strunk, etc.). Follow-on question: When one uses the semi-colon as you prescribe, should the first word of the second sentence be capitalized or not?

No. Still the same sentence; no need to capitalize within the same sentence.

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Help with comma placement?

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