5
   

Unsure of the punctuation in this sentence?

 
 
Reply Thu 26 Sep, 2013 12:13 am
"This would be a meaningful reminder to myself that whenever I am faced with new and challenging circumstances, I have an opportunity, not to fail, but to either succeed or learn."

Unsure of the "not to fail" portion. Should that be surrounded by commas or something else? Thanks!
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Question • Score: 5 • Views: 1,062 • Replies: 4
No top replies

 
roger
 
  1  
Reply Thu 26 Sep, 2013 12:20 am
@wcassociation,
I would leave it like it is. I do tend to use more commas than many people, but I think it is fine.
0 Replies
 
Roberta
 
  1  
Reply Thu 26 Sep, 2013 12:58 am
@wcassociation,
Delete the commas. The commas make the words within them parenthetical. This would make the sentence read:

This would be a meaningful reminder to myself that whenever I am faced with new and challenging circumstances, I have an opportunity but to either succeed or learn.
0 Replies
 
JTT
 
  1  
Reply Thu 26 Sep, 2013 10:40 am
@wcassociation,
ORIGINAL: "This would be a meaningful reminder to myself that whenever I am faced with new and challenging circumstances, I have an opportunity, not to fail, but to either succeed or learn."

I can see both Roger's and Roberta's choices as viable ones, though I don't understand Roberta's "The commas make the words within them parenthetical".
0 Replies
 
dalehileman
 
  0  
Reply Sat 28 Sep, 2013 11:16 am
@wcassociation,
The context WC might figure in, eg, if this phrase followed instances of failed opportunities then the commas would be appropriate

Otherwise I for one wouldn't use 'em
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

deal - Question by WBYeats
Let pupils abandon spelling rules, says academic - Discussion by Robert Gentel
Please, I need help. - Question by imsak
Is this sentence grammatically correct? - Question by Sydney-Strock
"come from" - Question by mcook
concentrated - Question by WBYeats
 
  1. Forums
  2. » Unsure of the punctuation in this sentence?
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.23 seconds on 12/28/2024 at 05:20:20