Rosyroja  +  95836 Tue, 03 May 05 04:22 PM We have an ongoing tug-of-war with the surveyors about correct comma usage. Could someone please correct this sentence? Thanks - lunch is riding on it! Based on our survey findings and not having evidence to the contrary it is our opinion tha thte shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery as alleged while in the care custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents. Rosyroja Joined on Tue, May 3 2005 New Member 01 Commas

	pieanne  +  95838 Tue, 03 May 05 04:25 PM Based on our survey findings, and not having evidence to the contrary, it is our opinion that the shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery, as alleged while in the care custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents. That's what I'd write. pieanne Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005 South of France ...But I'm Belgian! Veteran Member 7,517 I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos... Commas

	temico  +  95921 Tue, 03 May 05 10:42 PM To pieanne, I believe you missed one (,) after "alleged", "Based on our survey findings, and not having evidence to the contrary, it is our opinion that the shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery, as alleged, while in the care custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents. temico Joined on Thu, Apr 21 2005 Full Member 274 Commas

	pieanne  +  96028 Wed, 04 May 05 10:08 AM You're right Temico, thanks! pieanne

	MrPedantic  +  96185 Wed, 04 May 05 11:41 PM An alternative version might omit the comma before 'as alleged', and add one after 'care': "Based on our survey findings, and not having evidence to the contrary, it is our opinion that the shortages reported herein are due to pilferage and/or mis-delivery as alleged, while in the care, custody and control of the steamship company and/or their agents." MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris... Commas

	MrPedantic  +  96200 Wed, 04 May 05 11:57 PM PS: I'm not sure I should bring this up...since lunch depends on it...But the 'while' clause appears to dangle. MrP MrPedantic Clauses, Commas

	temico  +  96208 Thu, 05 May 05 12:09 AM To MrPedantic, Omitting the comma before 'as alleged' will mean that the 'mis-delivery' was alleged and NOT both "pilferage and mis-delivery" were alleged. I guess that we will have to ask Rosyroja to confirm which was or were actually alleged in her( I believe) original sentence. temico Commas

	MrPedantic  +  96213 Thu, 05 May 05 12:18 AM Hello temico To my ears, 'as alleged' would apply both to pilferage and misdelivery, if the comma were omitted. I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions though. MrP MrPedantic Commas