Need a comma here?

   Share on Facebook  
Anonymous  #292462  Mon, 13 Nov 06 09:56 AM

Hi,

Do we need to put the comma there? I think not.

to find great, local talent

  
This is a live chat room, hosted on the chat page. You can also click here to see the chat in fullscreen.
LanguageLover  #292478  Mon, 13 Nov 06 10:54 AM
No, we don't.
  
Top 75 Contributor
Joined on Fri, Feb 25 2005
A proud Iranian living in the UAE
Contributing Member (1,393)
ModeratorTrusted Users
The similarities among the languages are more than their differences!
Philip  #292604  Mon, 13 Nov 06 04:58 PM
 Anonymous wrote:

Hi,

Do we need to put the comma there? I think not.

to find great, local talent

The comma is equivalent to "and"; it is traditionally used in such a case.  I'm not sure what modern gurus think about it, but it is in my formal education.
  
Top 25 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005
USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)
Veteran Member (6,333)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen
Anonymous  #388220  Thu, 05 Jul 07 09:33 AM
If you have two adjectives that precede a noun that they are both describing, you should use a comma IF both adjectives are of equal value to the noun. A good rule of thumb is if you could replace the comma with an "and," and the sentence makes sense and flows smoothly, then the comma is necessary.

In this case, however, the two adjectives are not of equal weight. The word "local" is essential to the meaning of the sentence. You are not out there just looking for any sort of talent--you are only interested in talent in your local area. This makes "local talent" almost likea  compound noun--it is the thing you are interested in. In that case, you only have one adjective--great.

To find great local talent. . .             is correct.

To find youthful, energetic talent. . .      is correct.  (Do you see how both adjectives before the word talent here are of equal
                                                                            importance?)
  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL Basic English Grammar Questions and Help
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service