ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: tricks of a coma

Clive — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:42:54 GMT

Hi,
Your hands are on the end of your arms, below your wrists.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: tricks of a coma

Abil — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:41:44 GMT

Obviously, the positions of the hands are not the same. Is it wrong to use "hands" in the first sentence? What is the difference between hands and arms?

Thanks Mr. Clive and TMNT

Re: tricks of a coma

26TMNTJG2PG — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:32:58 GMT

By 'coma', I take it you mean 'comma'.

1. Strictly speaking, the comma is not necessary but quite commonly placed.
However, it must be there if the sentence is rewritten as
Looking far off to the horizon, he stood in silence with his hands akimbo.

Both sentences are correct but the positions of his hands are not the same.

Re: tricks of a coma

Clive — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:29:43 GMT

Hi,
1. He stood in silence with his~~hands~~ arms akimbo, looking far off to the horizon.

2. He stood in silence with his hands folded close to his chest.

Are these sentences correct? Yes, except that 'akimbo' focuses on the position of your arms when your hands are on your hips.
Is it okay to use a coma in the first sentence? Yes, use one.
Will the meaning of this sentence change if I drop the coma? It will make it sound like your hands/(arms) are 'looking far off to the horizon'. This is obviously not your intended meaning.

Best wishes, Clive

tricks of a coma

Abil — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:17:31 GMT

1. He stood in silence with his hands akimbo, looking far off to the horizon.

2. He stood in silence with his hands folded close to his chest.

Are these sentences correct? Is it okay to use a coma in the first sentence? Will the meaning of this sentence change if I drop the coma?

Thanks