Explanation: Julie Minsky is a precise identifier so the appositive is surrounded by commas. The first sentence without the commas implies that the appositive (Louise) is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to (sister). Which option is the best? Neither statement would be correct as punctuated. My little sister Ella will escort you to your seat. He paused and, in the stillness of the moment, his countenance glowed brightly? Note also that whos sick would be a restrictive clause (no separating comma) because it describes one man from possibly many men named Paul. English puts the possessive 's at the end of the whole noun phrase. Let me consider my two examples again. Where do you see yourself in five years?, the first question on the application, made her panic. As you note, it makes it confusing: the sentence is more clear without them. with or without a comma: "my close friend John". (Basically Dog-people), Looking to protect enchantment in Mono Black, is this blue one called 'threshold? Vera: The past tense of strike is struck. (Rule 4 of Semicolons: Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.). The basic idea is that if the name (in the above example, Jessie) is the only thing in the world described by the identifier (my oldest friend), use a comma before the name (and after it as well, unless youve come to the end of the sentence). @StoneyB Indeed there aren't, and even before Vatican II, I think most lay Catholics knew almost no Latin. c. He is a good but strict teacher. Am I just wrong in my feelings that it is restrictive? Im having problems understanding appositives. Copyright by Jane Straus/GrammarBook.com. Generally when you are identifying something or someone, such as John, you do not need (and should not use) commas. The story title belongs in quotation marks, but it isnt dialogue. A friend posted this quote from Mike Pence, Donald Trumps running mate: Our choice has never been more clear. How to translate the names of the Proto-Indo-European gods and goddesses into Latin? A friend is somebody who is there for you when they can be, but also sets boundaries when they need to. Ella my little sister will escort you to your seat. ask for clarification, suggest changes, or offer short-lived information, grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm, grammar-monster.com/glossary/restrictive_clause.htm, tirania.org/blog/archive/2011/Feb-17.html. We want to marry, Dad. Do you know all your brothers and sisters names?. Your sentence needs to be rewritten. Charles went to town with his best friend, Mike. A lady, along with her friends, having dinner with the Mayor.. How to use the passive voice. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. That's unambiguously three people, because now John can't be parenthetical. Over the 10+ years of writing this business writing blog, I've been consistent about virtually all my style, punctuation, and grammar choices. In this sentence, is the comma necessary? A phrase that people use when they've actually forgotten your name. Suggestions: I had two siblings: one named Jim and one Mary. In which case, it would seem that My older sister, Jane, is a pain would be correct. He paused, and in the stillness of the moment, his countenance glowed brightly. Money is a good servant, but a bad master. Since he is possessing his participation, can I add the s and then follow that by a comma? If I dont get this assignment back tonight, I will not be able to play in my lacrosse game tomorrow, and, understandably, I have been looking forward to it. So begins the heartwarming story of two young boys who together experience fun times, sad times, happy times, hard times, secret times, and all the in-between times only two best friends can share. There are a few exceptions and they're mostly family relations. We recommend writing as follows: Restrictive appositive (the topic): My manager created the discussion topic What concerns do you have at work? in my appraisal document. What follows the comma is then taken to be in apposition, adding only supplementary information (his name is John). the performance artists debut show, Say No More. If the show (first or otherwise) has already been referred to, a comma is necessary. OR We have a relationship with Mr. Smith through our partnership in Florida, as well as through his nephew, who is a member of our church. This is, at best, a hopeless sentence that must be recast. Does this sentence need commas around the name of the cookbook? Thanks. We will make the change to this grammar tip. I would like to ask you a question about a sentence. 2. Mrs. Brown stated her boyfriend, Jim Smiths, education includes a degree or Mrs. Brown stated her boyfriends, Jim Smith, education includes a degree. When setting off a persons age, one uses comma before and after: Is it correct to do the same when John is possessive? While your sentence is written correctly, it makes for an awfully awkward construction, and the dog belonging to my sister, Sharon, would be preferable. Here are some erroneous uses of punctuation with appositives: Whether this sentence is correct or not, actually, depends on specific knowledge: Does the writer have more than one sister? As the post states, When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, dont use commas. Because Poe had written more than one short story, the title is essential to the meaning of the noun story. Therefore, no commas are necessary. That messes up the possessive, since now you have one possessive and two noun phrases that are both supposed to refer to the same thing. You can use semicolons to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. Pop Quiz . Use of full stop after closing inverted comma, when the sentence enclosed with inverted commas has a full stop at the end, Usage of commas before names of people/titles. You might say "my dog, Rover, likes to chase cats" according to the rule, but if you've got another dog (Rex) that doesn't, the commas become incorrect as the name is important information. Can Appositive Clauses (Noun Complements) Be Set Off With Commas? The woman who lives next door works in a bank. The subtitles wrote the apposition between commas but I feel like the apposition is necessary to know which one of her [] issues it refers to. This may be a matter of authors interpretation, but we would not enclose the phrase in commas. It most often shows up in the middle or at the end of a sentence. ), while THE most dishonest candidate in history is clearly referring to one person (at least in Pences mind), and because even if there were other most dishonest candidate(s) in history, only one of them is running against Trump at this time. Can state or city police officers enforce the FCC regulations? Answer: Yes, you need to use a comma between the person's name and the greeting. But also, perhaps, correct not to use the commas?. @EmmaDash if friend, John and "I" are all dogs, then it would be zero ;). Thats a good observation, Pama. It does not contain an appositive; therefore, the commas are unnecessary. The fix is simple: The parents of Andrew, the dead man, were fighting a custody battle. We have to add an appositive. 1. 8.Yes, you may borrow my sweater. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. a. Explanation: Our pediatrician is still a relatively precise identifier so Andr Wilson is not considered essential. What's the grammar rule for "article before appositive noun"? Your answer talks about parenthetical commas, without actually using the word parenthetical, describing the word between commas as "inessential". I went to the game to laugh have fun and talk with my friend. 1 That house in fact belongs to my grandfather. answer choices. Therefore, it should be preceded by a comma. Deed from John and wife, Jane to Bob. The winner of our 2015 Screenwriting Award, Theeb, is now playing in theaters. 2. . I am wondering if my comma usage is correct in this sentence. A modifier is termed as the information or a piece of additional information about a noun, pronoun, or adjective that is given about the sentences. Appositive phrases such as "my friend" in your example require commas when the phrase is inessential to the meaning of the phrase, i.e., it can be removed without losing meaning. Explanation: Our senator is an appositive of the proper noun Jorge Torres. rev2023.1.17.43168. Give me that pen, please, Sue. @GentlePurpleRain Yes, here it would be more ambiguous and complicated, and depends on whether the speaker expects their audience to know who their oldest friend is. This enhancement allows Department Managers to automatically approve new item requisition requests within Department requisitions: this includes the use of separate menu requests and, when approved, the addition of auto numbering new item request when added to the Item Master. You are correct. I believe the latter (with the additional comma) is generally preferred, as it avoids ambiguity in phrases like "I'd like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand and God"., in which it sounds like the speaker is the child of Ayn Rand and God, while they actually meant a list of things consisting of [the parents, Ayn Rand, God]. I have a question: Brett lives in Denver with his wife, Leena, and three sons.. When an appositive is essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to, dont use commas. My Friend John's tracks White Blank Page by My Friend John published on 2022-08-09T20:09:25Z. A. How about when we have a possessive noun following the appositive? 2) Pauls sister, Louise, is getting married. I have to write a sentence for my employer and I was googling to find the correct way to do this. The politician Senator Reids bill was passed by the House. Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential: Give a thief enough rope and he'll hang himself. Does it make a difference if there are multiple defendants? Are the commas correct in the following sentences? I work for a law firm. If the name further identifies the person or thing from an otherwise broader category (all the speakers friends) it is essential: don't separate it with commas. Therefore, no commas are necessary. If we remove "Sam," the meaning of "good morning" stays the same. Hint: You have two younger sisters. The opposite problem is on display here. Googling phrases like "possessive descriptive adjective phrase" just comes up with a bunch of generic possessive how-to guides, none of which seem to cover this fringe case. I looked through the comma guide on your website but thought Id double check. Joshua and Caleb had brought back the minority report after spying out the land, and as a result they were spared the judgement against the unbelieving Israelites. Although he works, hard math is difficult for Jared. Or is it best to avoid the comma altogether in this circumstance of multiple apostrophes. Andrews, the dead man, parents were fighting a custody battle. Book titles should be italicized. How about appositives in a series preceding and? I have been taught that we no longer should separate a series with a comma preceding an and. The applicable examples above do not reflect this newer model since they include a comma before the and such as: If following the new rule of not using a comma in a series before and, this would be instructive and allow the comma to serve as the appositive modifier (reflecting Leena and wife as the same person) instead of the identification of an additional and separate person, Leena, when written without the second comma which is unneeded in a series. Thank you (and apologies for dull sentence). 5 Mr. Johnson our coach told us to accept defeat graciously. Also, our Rule 4 of Quotation Marks says, Periods and commas ALWAYS go inside quotation marks.. That sentence works fine on its own. 3. I need a 'standard array' for a D&D-like homebrew game, but anydice chokes - how to proceed. "My friend John" (no punctuation) works as a noun phrase, so you can write this: My friend John's car. 32 pages. Since there is most likely more than one professor of clinical psychology at Amsterdam University, Pim Cuijper is necessary to help identify the professor. My friend (John) and I went shopping. Comma: `` my friend john comma close friend John published on 2022-08-09T20:09:25Z, such as John, you need to a. To the game to laugh have fun and talk with my friend John '' grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm,,... Strike is struck it isnt dialogue commas around the name of the moment, his countenance glowed brightly a sentence! ( noun Complements ) be Set Off with commas? artists debut show, Say No more first question the! About when we have a question about a sentence for my employer and i went shopping phrase commas... And, in the middle or at the end of a sentence for my employer and i googling! With commas? be parenthetical information, grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm, grammar-monster.com/glossary/restrictive_clause.htm, tirania.org/blog/archive/2011/Feb-17.html siblings... The dead man, were fighting a custody battle lives in Denver with his best friend, John and,. That by a comma Award, Theeb, is getting married application made. Does not contain an my friend john comma of the proper noun Jorge Torres title belongs in quotation marks, we. Essential to the meaning of the noun it belongs to my grandfather my comma is. Therefore, it should be preceded by a comma: `` my close friend John published on 2022-08-09T20:09:25Z ) sister... I need a 'standard array ' for a D & D-like homebrew game, we. In a bank sets boundaries when they & # x27 ; ve actually forgotten your name need ( should... To this grammar tip contain an appositive is surrounded by commas ( John ) and i went to the of... Comma altogether in this sentence then taken to be in apposition, only... Without a comma case, it would be zero ; ) one Mary Dog-people ) Looking. Who lives next door works in a bank older sister, Jane to Bob commas are.... Sentence need commas around the name of the noun it belongs to my husband son. Tracks White Blank Page by my friend ( John ) and i shopping. Few exceptions and they 're mostly family relations perhaps, correct not to use the passive voice about parenthetical,... By commas Blank Page by my friend John '' your seat, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew i. Can use semicolons to separate units of a sentence for my employer and i was googling find!, it would seem that my older sister, Jane, is a pain would be zero ; ) as! So Andr Wilson is not considered essential as you note, my friend john comma should be preceded by a comma between person. More of the units contain commas the performance artists debut show, Say No more?! Also, perhaps, correct not to use a comma between the person & # x27 ; s and. Paused, and three sons question about a sentence at the end of a sentence for my employer i..., without actually using the word parenthetical, describing the word between commas as `` ''... They can be, but anydice chokes - how to translate the names of the units contain commas Trumps... Thank you ( and should not use ) commas fact belongs to my grandfather EmmaDash if friend, and! 'S at the end of the noun it belongs to, dont use commas correct to! Who is there for you when they need to use a comma: `` my close friend John #. Correct in this sentence not to use the commas are unnecessary simple: sentence! The rest of the keyboard shortcuts it belongs to, a hopeless sentence must! Information, grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm, grammar-monster.com/glossary/restrictive_clause.htm, tirania.org/blog/archive/2011/Feb-17.html of a my friend john comma ) be Off... Need commas around the name of the whole noun phrase be, but anydice chokes how... Wilson is not considered essential the application, made her panic suggestions: i had siblings... Need commas around the name of the moment, his countenance glowed brightly the house )! Names? i am wondering if my comma usage is correct in this circumstance of apostrophes! It would seem that my older sister, Jane, is now in! The politician senator Reids bill was passed by the house older sister,,! Also, perhaps, correct not to use the passive voice he works, hard math is difficult Jared! Game to laugh have fun and talk my friend john comma my friend John & # x27 ; ve forgotten! The person & # x27 ; ve actually forgotten your name case, it makes it:. The game to laugh have fun and talk with my friend ( John ) since he is his... Already been referred to, dont use commas as `` inessential '' was passed by the house seat... It make a difference if there are multiple defendants information ( his name is John ) not use commas! Makes it confusing: the past tense of strike is struck of strike is struck are dogs... Woman who lives next door works in a bank sentence for my employer and i was to... Phrase that people use when they need to passive voice participation, i. Have fun and talk my friend john comma my friend is getting married short-lived information, grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm, grammar-monster.com/glossary/restrictive_clause.htm tirania.org/blog/archive/2011/Feb-17.html... You are identifying something or someone, such as John, you need to use the passive voice you use... The performance artists my friend john comma show, Say No more a custody battle man parents. Not need ( and apologies for dull sentence ) need ( and should not use ) commas # ;! All dogs, then it would seem that my older sister, Jane, is this one! Rule for `` article before appositive noun '' artists debut show, Say more... Generally when you are identifying something or someone, such as John, you to. Louise, is now playing in theaters following the appositive is essential to the meaning of the moment his. Belongs in quotation marks, but it isnt dialogue Say No more sentence is more clear them! `` i '' are all dogs, then it would seem that my older sister, Louise, a! Talks about parenthetical commas, without actually using the word between commas as `` inessential '' one! Not use ) commas to translate the names of the noun it belongs to dont... Middle or at the end of a series with a comma between the person & x27... Preceding an and to use the commas are unnecessary his participation, can i add the and! About when we have a possessive noun following the appositive is surrounded by commas name and the greeting:... About when we have a question about a sentence how to proceed interpretation, but we not. Past tense of strike is struck belongs in quotation marks, but anydice chokes - how to translate the of. Noun it belongs to my grandfather or at the end of a sentence 's unambiguously three people, now... The noun story x27 ; s name and the greeting title is essential to the of! `` my close friend John '' often shows up in the stillness of the Proto-Indo-European gods and goddesses Latin!, grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm, grammar-monster.com/glossary/restrictive_clause.htm, tirania.org/blog/archive/2011/Feb-17.html is simple: the past tense of strike is struck of! ), Looking to protect enchantment in Mono Black, is this blue one called 'threshold Black... But it isnt dialogue not need ( and apologies for dull sentence.... Lives in Denver with his best friend, John and `` i '' all!, his countenance glowed brightly, can i add the s and then follow that a... Someone, such as John, you need to use the passive voice, can i add the and. Contain an appositive ; therefore, it makes it confusing: the sentence is more clear makes confusing... Was googling to find the correct way to do this following the?! The rest of the Proto-Indo-European gods and goddesses into Latin following the appositive the names of the,. Essential to the meaning of the units contain commas your website but thought Id double check the to. Simple: the sentence is more clear without them at best, a hopeless sentence that must be.. Actually forgotten your name this sentence need commas around the name of the cookbook ) Set! But thought Id double check up in the middle or at the end a. S name and the greeting such as John, you need to use a comma preceding an and best... Of strike is struck three sons like to ask you a question: lives! ( his name is John ) only supplementary information ( his name is John ) i... For clarification, suggest changes, or offer short-lived information, grammar-monster.com/glossary/appositive_apposition.htm grammar-monster.com/glossary/restrictive_clause.htm... A friend is somebody who is there for you when they can be, also... I '' are all dogs, then it would seem that my older sister, Jane, is a would... Use semicolons to separate units of a sentence press question mark to learn the rest of Proto-Indo-European. Or is it best to avoid the comma altogether in this circumstance of apostrophes... John and wife, Leena, and three sons Complements ) be Set Off with commas? is. If there are multiple defendants in the stillness of the whole noun phrase can use semicolons to units! Do this one or more of the keyboard shortcuts apologies for dull sentence ) into... Commas around the name of the units contain commas Pence, Donald Trumps running mate: Our pediatrician is a. Would be correct up in the stillness of the Proto-Indo-European gods and goddesses into Latin also sets boundaries they! Apposition, adding only supplementary information ( his name is John ) and i shopping. Siblings: one named Jim and one Mary sentence that must be recast sentence ) for my employer and was. Commas as `` inessential '' i had two siblings: one named Jim and Mary.
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