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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!
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Type: Question • Score: 5 • Views: 1,017 • Replies: 4
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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".
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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
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