Is the bolded comma correct?

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Greatmilinko8451

#436955 Tue, 30 Oct 07 08:46 PM

In 2004, the project was brought to a halt when James Hetfield checked into a California rehab facility, where he would spend the next six months, overcoming a drug addiction.

I though it should be there because I think it's a praticiple phrase modifying 'he', but it doesn't seem like it belongs.

Greatmilinko8451

Joined on Sat, Oct 27 2007

New Member (17)

Commas

Feebs11

#436957 Tue, 30 Oct 07 08:50 PM

Personally I would not put it in.

Feebs11

Joined on Thu, Nov 23 2006

Senior Member (4,937)

Commas

Greatmilinko8451

#437010 Wed, 31 Oct 07 12:56 AM

How about Clive?

Greatmilinko8451

Commas

Grammar Geek

#437015 Wed, 31 Oct 07 01:47 AM

Well, I'm not Clive, but would you say "I spent three hours, weeding my garden" or "I was at the beach all day, looking for sand dollars"?

I would leave out the commas there, and I would leave the bold comma in your original.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,623)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Commas

Marius Hancu

#437016 Wed, 31 Oct 07 01:50 AM

You're talking about the comma after months, correct?

I think both work:

- no comma: strong connection between the two parts, the accent is on spend overcoming

- comma: what's after the comma would become a bit paranthetical, secondary; the accent is on spend (some time, six months)

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

Accents, Commas

Anonymous

#437245 Wed, 31 Oct 07 03:35 PM

Should I remove it on the grounds that the comma would inturpt the subject from its verb?

Anonymous

Commas, Verbs

Grammarshammer

#437355 Wed, 31 Oct 07 08:38 PM

It should not be there because you are saying that this place, the rehab center, is the place in which he is recovering. If you use a comma, then you're it sounds more like he is simply recovering from a drug addiction.

Can anybody back me up?