A subordinate clause beginning with “if”
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Should this sentence have a comma: "It was dark, if you recall."
It's a dependent clause so it should not need one, but it doesn't sound right without it.
punctuation
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
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bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 8 mins ago
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Should this sentence have a comma: "It was dark, if you recall."
It's a dependent clause so it should not need one, but it doesn't sound right without it.
punctuation
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 8 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
1
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
– Edwin Ashworth
Mar 12 at 0:09
temp comment
– tchrist♦
Oct 27 at 20:53
add a comment |
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up vote
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favorite
Should this sentence have a comma: "It was dark, if you recall."
It's a dependent clause so it should not need one, but it doesn't sound right without it.
punctuation
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
Should this sentence have a comma: "It was dark, if you recall."
It's a dependent clause so it should not need one, but it doesn't sound right without it.
punctuation
punctuation
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
asked Mar 11 at 23:35
Vicki Barbosa
211
211
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 8 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 8 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
1
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
– Edwin Ashworth
Mar 12 at 0:09
temp comment
– tchrist♦
Oct 27 at 20:53
add a comment |
1
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
– Edwin Ashworth
Mar 12 at 0:09
temp comment
– tchrist♦
Oct 27 at 20:53
1
1
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
– Edwin Ashworth
Mar 12 at 0:09
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
– Edwin Ashworth
Mar 12 at 0:09
temp comment
– tchrist♦
Oct 27 at 20:53
temp comment
– tchrist♦
Oct 27 at 20:53
add a comment |
2 Answers
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In a comment, Edwin Ashworth wrote:
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
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No, no comma is called for.
When a dependent "if" clause follows the main clause, no comma is required. A comma is only required when the dependent "if" clause precedes the main clause. You'll note in both of the following links, it explicity instructs not to use a comma when the dependent clause follows:
"Don’t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence."
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/comma?10
"However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it."
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/2/
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
In a comment, Edwin Ashworth wrote:
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
In a comment, Edwin Ashworth wrote:
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
In a comment, Edwin Ashworth wrote:
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
In a comment, Edwin Ashworth wrote:
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
answered Mar 12 at 0:23
community wiki
tchrist
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No, no comma is called for.
When a dependent "if" clause follows the main clause, no comma is required. A comma is only required when the dependent "if" clause precedes the main clause. You'll note in both of the following links, it explicity instructs not to use a comma when the dependent clause follows:
"Don’t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence."
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/comma?10
"However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it."
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/2/
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
No, no comma is called for.
When a dependent "if" clause follows the main clause, no comma is required. A comma is only required when the dependent "if" clause precedes the main clause. You'll note in both of the following links, it explicity instructs not to use a comma when the dependent clause follows:
"Don’t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence."
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/comma?10
"However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it."
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/2/
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
No, no comma is called for.
When a dependent "if" clause follows the main clause, no comma is required. A comma is only required when the dependent "if" clause precedes the main clause. You'll note in both of the following links, it explicity instructs not to use a comma when the dependent clause follows:
"Don’t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence."
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/comma?10
"However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it."
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/2/
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
No, no comma is called for.
When a dependent "if" clause follows the main clause, no comma is required. A comma is only required when the dependent "if" clause precedes the main clause. You'll note in both of the following links, it explicity instructs not to use a comma when the dependent clause follows:
"Don’t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence."
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/writing/comma?10
"However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent
(subordinate) clause follows it."
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/2/
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
edited Jul 10 at 1:54
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
answered Jul 10 at 1:49
Billy
1,55015
1,55015
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
The clause 'if you recall' here is a pragmatic marker soliciting confirmation (cf 'wasn't it?') or encouraging aquiescence (cf 'as I'm sure you'll agree'). It stands apart from the statement in the main clause. I'd certainly add the comma. The situation is different with say 'It was dark if clouds heralding one of the frequent storms came close'.
– Edwin Ashworth
Mar 12 at 0:09
temp comment
– tchrist♦
Oct 27 at 20:53