Is the comma in this situation optional?

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Anonymous

#396804 Thu, 26 Jul 07 02:29 AM

The lock can be heard bolting as the pair sit, with looks of helpless, angry despair.

Anonymous

Commas

Grammar Geek

#396806 Thu, 26 Jul 07 02:32 AM

To the contrary, it should be removed, unless you want the lock to be the one with the look of despair.

(I would recommend the pair sits.)

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

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Barbara, who answers in American English.

Commas

Anonymous

#396930 Thu, 26 Jul 07 11:33 AM

Thanks for being the first person to help me understand this concept!

Now, would you say that the following is correct:

He juggles the cable, with a look of despair.

Anonymous

Commas

Grammar Geek

#396990 Thu, 26 Jul 07 03:26 PM

Yes. If you left THAT comma out, the cable would have a look of dispair. I know that logic will tell your reader that it was he and not the cable that had a look, but other situations could be ambigous.

Mary looked at the girl, with a frown on her face. - I read this as Mary frowning, not the girl.

Mary looked at the girl with a frown on her face. - I read this as Mary looked at the frowning girl.

Grammar Geek

Commas