By Commas, Conversations

Thanks a lot! We do have unclear conversation / writing. As I'm taking a translation course, I've to understand the English meaning /sentence structure & then translate it. If this means unclear, it will be translated this way. Some unsolved queries: (1) Susan puts some nuts on the...

Hi, There have been so many amendments to the last post that I don't know which are new queries. So, I'll just comment on the last part. 3.1) She put the card into a big envelope with a red sign. 3.2)She put the card into a big envelop, with a red sign. Is it proper to make such sentences...

Refer to the message posted on 24 Jan, would anyone please answer the following (the content is same as 24 Jan): Wytam wrote: Many thanks for your help! Some more questions in modified cases:(1) Susan puts some nuts on the chocolate cake in strawberry sauce, which are her favourites.1a- Is it...

Many thanks for your help! Some more questions in modified cases:(1) Susan puts some nuts on the chocolate cake in strawberry sauce, which are her favourites.1a- Is it proper English? 1b- Is "her favourites" referring to "some nuts"? Should it be more clear to the meaning? Any other possible...

I said generally speaking. I did not say that all sentences cannot start with AT, IN, or ON. Poems don't reflect everyday conversation. You are going to see variations and exceptions to rules in literature more often than say in the newspaper.Now to address your examples:At midnight, in the...

Sorry, Anon-- we ended up having a lengthy email discussion about this. My opinion is that, according to the rules, commas go inside. Therefore, the comma is innermost: Although Maria said, "I heard Bob said, 'I don't like him,' " I wasn't sure if I should believe her. This kind of...

"Did the novelist, Ernest Hemingway, once live here?" is as correct, grammatically, as "Did the novelist Ernest Hemingway once live here?" In the second question you make it clear that the novelist you are referring to is H. because the listener may not be aware of it, so you use no commas. It...

There are some possible differences of meaning in this structure, though: a) – as you do – etc. This is a humorous formation. The 'as you do' means 'as one is accustomed to do', but it is always used ironically and parenthetically: the verb phrase must relate to an activity that is unusual in...

The equipment is neither accurate nor safe. ok but formal The equipment isn’t accurate or safe either. no The equipment isn't accurate, or safe either. ok The equipment isn't accurate or safe.ok She was expressionless, neither laughing nor crying. ok but formal She was expressionless, not...

Their meaning is different. The first one is a slightly unusual sentence, but it coherently suggests that you are not going out with a particular person you want to go out with. You would have to say it in a very confidential way to make it seem natural in conversation. The person who you're...