Confused about the placement of commas in the following sentence
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
"I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky. But there is something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts, a Great Chain of industry that unites us." - Andrew Ryan
What are the rules that permit the use of commas after the words "God", "us" and "efforts"?
commas
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
add a comment |
"I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky. But there is something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts, a Great Chain of industry that unites us." - Andrew Ryan
What are the rules that permit the use of commas after the words "God", "us" and "efforts"?
commas
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
This sounds like Ayn Rand, but as it turns out it is from a character named Andrew Ryan, (almost an anagram). You should source your quotes.
– Cascabel
May 17 at 16:03
add a comment |
"I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky. But there is something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts, a Great Chain of industry that unites us." - Andrew Ryan
What are the rules that permit the use of commas after the words "God", "us" and "efforts"?
commas
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
"I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky. But there is something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts, a Great Chain of industry that unites us." - Andrew Ryan
What are the rules that permit the use of commas after the words "God", "us" and "efforts"?
commas
commas
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
edited May 17 at 23:24
user348706
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
asked May 17 at 11:42
user348706user348706
12
12
This sounds like Ayn Rand, but as it turns out it is from a character named Andrew Ryan, (almost an anagram). You should source your quotes.
– Cascabel
May 17 at 16:03
add a comment |
This sounds like Ayn Rand, but as it turns out it is from a character named Andrew Ryan, (almost an anagram). You should source your quotes.
– Cascabel
May 17 at 16:03
This sounds like Ayn Rand, but as it turns out it is from a character named Andrew Ryan, (almost an anagram). You should source your quotes.
– Cascabel
May 17 at 16:03
This sounds like Ayn Rand, but as it turns out it is from a character named Andrew Ryan, (almost an anagram). You should source your quotes.
– Cascabel
May 17 at 16:03
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
These are all examples of non-restrictive appositive noun phrases, which require the use of commas.
Non-restrictive appositive noun phrases add additional information to further describe/quantify/specify/develop the preceding noun phrase. They are however, non-restrictive (rather than essential or restrictive) because they can be removed without significant change in meaning to the overall sentence. Removing them may lessen the detail or reduce the propositional impact, but the meaning is still clear.
I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky [2]. But there is
something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts [3],
a Great Chain of industry that unites us[4]
In the first sentence [2] can be removed.
In the second sentence [4] can be removed.
In the second sentence, however, it is more difficult to remove [3] without [4], as [4] seems to work in close logical apposition to efforts.
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
|
show 4 more comments
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f498766%2fconfused-about-the-placement-of-commas-in-the-following-sentence%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
These are all examples of non-restrictive appositive noun phrases, which require the use of commas.
Non-restrictive appositive noun phrases add additional information to further describe/quantify/specify/develop the preceding noun phrase. They are however, non-restrictive (rather than essential or restrictive) because they can be removed without significant change in meaning to the overall sentence. Removing them may lessen the detail or reduce the propositional impact, but the meaning is still clear.
I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky [2]. But there is
something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts [3],
a Great Chain of industry that unites us[4]
In the first sentence [2] can be removed.
In the second sentence [4] can be removed.
In the second sentence, however, it is more difficult to remove [3] without [4], as [4] seems to work in close logical apposition to efforts.
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
|
show 4 more comments
These are all examples of non-restrictive appositive noun phrases, which require the use of commas.
Non-restrictive appositive noun phrases add additional information to further describe/quantify/specify/develop the preceding noun phrase. They are however, non-restrictive (rather than essential or restrictive) because they can be removed without significant change in meaning to the overall sentence. Removing them may lessen the detail or reduce the propositional impact, but the meaning is still clear.
I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky [2]. But there is
something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts [3],
a Great Chain of industry that unites us[4]
In the first sentence [2] can be removed.
In the second sentence [4] can be removed.
In the second sentence, however, it is more difficult to remove [3] without [4], as [4] seems to work in close logical apposition to efforts.
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
|
show 4 more comments
These are all examples of non-restrictive appositive noun phrases, which require the use of commas.
Non-restrictive appositive noun phrases add additional information to further describe/quantify/specify/develop the preceding noun phrase. They are however, non-restrictive (rather than essential or restrictive) because they can be removed without significant change in meaning to the overall sentence. Removing them may lessen the detail or reduce the propositional impact, but the meaning is still clear.
I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky [2]. But there is
something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts [3],
a Great Chain of industry that unites us[4]
In the first sentence [2] can be removed.
In the second sentence [4] can be removed.
In the second sentence, however, it is more difficult to remove [3] without [4], as [4] seems to work in close logical apposition to efforts.
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
These are all examples of non-restrictive appositive noun phrases, which require the use of commas.
Non-restrictive appositive noun phrases add additional information to further describe/quantify/specify/develop the preceding noun phrase. They are however, non-restrictive (rather than essential or restrictive) because they can be removed without significant change in meaning to the overall sentence. Removing them may lessen the detail or reduce the propositional impact, but the meaning is still clear.
I believe in no God, no invisible man in the sky [2]. But there is
something more powerful than each of us, a combination of our efforts [3],
a Great Chain of industry that unites us[4]
In the first sentence [2] can be removed.
In the second sentence [4] can be removed.
In the second sentence, however, it is more difficult to remove [3] without [4], as [4] seems to work in close logical apposition to efforts.
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
answered May 17 at 12:54
mattxxx4mattxxx4
1717
1717
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
|
show 4 more comments
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
I would disagree that both [3] and [4] are nonessential; removing them also removes the clarification of what the "something" is in the main clause.
– geekahedron
May 17 at 13:24
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
Hello, matt. There is the option of using more heavy-duty separators – the dash and the ellipsis.
– Edwin Ashworth
May 17 at 16:54
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
@geekahedron You are confusing the different senses of the word nonessential. Here, it doesn't mean not essential to understanding but not essential to the independence of the clause.
– Jason Bassford
May 18 at 19:37
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
I'm not sure that I am. "An essential appositive phrase provides information that is necessary for identifying the noun or pronoun that precedes it … In contrast, a nonessential appositive phrase provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in a sentence whose meaning is already clear" (K12 Reader). Without at least one of the two appositive phrases in the second sentence, the meaning of "something" is not clearly identified.
– geekahedron
May 18 at 19:43
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
@geekahedron 'something' is 'identified' by the defining (n.b.) reduced relative clause - 'more powerful than us'.
– mattxxx4
May 25 at 7:23
|
show 4 more comments
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f498766%2fconfused-about-the-placement-of-commas-in-the-following-sentence%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
This sounds like Ayn Rand, but as it turns out it is from a character named Andrew Ryan, (almost an anagram). You should source your quotes.
– Cascabel
May 17 at 16:03