Thank you, John, for your contribution.

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Jackson6612

#512105 Sat, 10 May 08 03:46 PM

Is the punctuation in the following sentence correct?
Thank you, John, for your contribution.

Jackson6612

Joined on Wed, Dec 27 2006

Senior Member (2,606)

NOTE: When you reply to my post, please look for mistakes in grammar, syntax or punctuation, and let me know of any suggestions you have. Thank you.

Punctuation

Yankee

#512117 Sat, 10 May 08 04:25 PM

It's OK. However, it would be more common to say it this way:

Thank you for your contribution, John.

Yankee

Joined on Sat, Apr 15 2006

Connecticut, USA

Senior Member (4,011)

Amy "You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." - Mark Twain

Jackson6612

#512174 Sat, 10 May 08 08:19 PM

Yankee
It's OK. However, it would be more common to say it this way:
Thank you for your contribution, John.

If I asked myself that why did Amy use would in the above sentence, then I would probably convince myself by telling that it's just because she wanted to give her opinion. What do you think? Was there any other reason to use would?

Jackson6612

Yankee

#512183 Sat, 10 May 08 08:49 PM

Using the 'would be' is more tentative than using 'is'. Yes, I used 'would' because I was voicing my opinion. (It was nevertheless an opinion that I firmly believe to be true. Wink

)

Yankee

Jackson6612

#512310 Sun, 11 May 08 08:51 AM

Yankee
Using the 'would be' is more tentative than using 'is'.

tentative
1: not fully worked out or developed <tentative plans> 2: hesitant, uncertain <a tentative smile>
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

Hi Amy,
I'm sorry for asking you questions repeatedly. I hope you won't mind. Which of the above definitions of tentative fit in the context of the quoted sentence?

Jackson6612