Is it correct to use comma before and after the word 'actually' in the following sentence?
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So, the sentence is:
I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who, actually, is a Hawking's student, at least I am.
I want to emphasize on the word 'actually' because someone who is not a Hawking's student answered the question that I asked on some other forum.
How good is it to use the commas before and after the word 'actually'?
punctuation
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So, the sentence is:
I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who, actually, is a Hawking's student, at least I am.
I want to emphasize on the word 'actually' because someone who is not a Hawking's student answered the question that I asked on some other forum.
How good is it to use the commas before and after the word 'actually'?
punctuation
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
1
Idiomatically, most of us would say ...someone who is actually a Hawking's student, where no comma is required (the word actually can come before or after the verb is, depending on exactly what emphasis you want). And orthographically most of us would either start a new sentence or follow that with a dash, not a comma.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 12 '14 at 15:20
1
The positioning of 'actually' can change what it does. And this example doesn't work. Also, what is a 'Hawking's student'? Is 'a student of Hawking' meant or 'a student of Hawking's'? (Or is there actually an establishment callled Hawking's College?)
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 12 '14 at 16:06
@EdwinAshworth, By Hawking's student, I mean a student of Stephen Hawking.
– India Slaver
Dec 13 '14 at 2:36
It's not idiomatic to say "a Hawking's student". "A student of Hawking's" is correct if the student is/was tutored by Hawking; "a student of Hawking" if the person studies/studied the man and his work.
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 13 '14 at 8:30
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So, the sentence is:
I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who, actually, is a Hawking's student, at least I am.
I want to emphasize on the word 'actually' because someone who is not a Hawking's student answered the question that I asked on some other forum.
How good is it to use the commas before and after the word 'actually'?
punctuation
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
So, the sentence is:
I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who, actually, is a Hawking's student, at least I am.
I want to emphasize on the word 'actually' because someone who is not a Hawking's student answered the question that I asked on some other forum.
How good is it to use the commas before and after the word 'actually'?
punctuation
punctuation
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
edited Dec 12 '14 at 15:45
itsbruce
3,41821026
3,41821026
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
asked Dec 12 '14 at 15:09
India Slaver
19126
19126
1
Idiomatically, most of us would say ...someone who is actually a Hawking's student, where no comma is required (the word actually can come before or after the verb is, depending on exactly what emphasis you want). And orthographically most of us would either start a new sentence or follow that with a dash, not a comma.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 12 '14 at 15:20
1
The positioning of 'actually' can change what it does. And this example doesn't work. Also, what is a 'Hawking's student'? Is 'a student of Hawking' meant or 'a student of Hawking's'? (Or is there actually an establishment callled Hawking's College?)
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 12 '14 at 16:06
@EdwinAshworth, By Hawking's student, I mean a student of Stephen Hawking.
– India Slaver
Dec 13 '14 at 2:36
It's not idiomatic to say "a Hawking's student". "A student of Hawking's" is correct if the student is/was tutored by Hawking; "a student of Hawking" if the person studies/studied the man and his work.
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 13 '14 at 8:30
add a comment |
1
Idiomatically, most of us would say ...someone who is actually a Hawking's student, where no comma is required (the word actually can come before or after the verb is, depending on exactly what emphasis you want). And orthographically most of us would either start a new sentence or follow that with a dash, not a comma.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 12 '14 at 15:20
1
The positioning of 'actually' can change what it does. And this example doesn't work. Also, what is a 'Hawking's student'? Is 'a student of Hawking' meant or 'a student of Hawking's'? (Or is there actually an establishment callled Hawking's College?)
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 12 '14 at 16:06
@EdwinAshworth, By Hawking's student, I mean a student of Stephen Hawking.
– India Slaver
Dec 13 '14 at 2:36
It's not idiomatic to say "a Hawking's student". "A student of Hawking's" is correct if the student is/was tutored by Hawking; "a student of Hawking" if the person studies/studied the man and his work.
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 13 '14 at 8:30
1
1
Idiomatically, most of us would say ...someone who is actually a Hawking's student, where no comma is required (the word actually can come before or after the verb is, depending on exactly what emphasis you want). And orthographically most of us would either start a new sentence or follow that with a dash, not a comma.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 12 '14 at 15:20
Idiomatically, most of us would say ...someone who is actually a Hawking's student, where no comma is required (the word actually can come before or after the verb is, depending on exactly what emphasis you want). And orthographically most of us would either start a new sentence or follow that with a dash, not a comma.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 12 '14 at 15:20
1
1
The positioning of 'actually' can change what it does. And this example doesn't work. Also, what is a 'Hawking's student'? Is 'a student of Hawking' meant or 'a student of Hawking's'? (Or is there actually an establishment callled Hawking's College?)
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 12 '14 at 16:06
The positioning of 'actually' can change what it does. And this example doesn't work. Also, what is a 'Hawking's student'? Is 'a student of Hawking' meant or 'a student of Hawking's'? (Or is there actually an establishment callled Hawking's College?)
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 12 '14 at 16:06
@EdwinAshworth, By Hawking's student, I mean a student of Stephen Hawking.
– India Slaver
Dec 13 '14 at 2:36
@EdwinAshworth, By Hawking's student, I mean a student of Stephen Hawking.
– India Slaver
Dec 13 '14 at 2:36
It's not idiomatic to say "a Hawking's student". "A student of Hawking's" is correct if the student is/was tutored by Hawking; "a student of Hawking" if the person studies/studied the man and his work.
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 13 '14 at 8:30
It's not idiomatic to say "a Hawking's student". "A student of Hawking's" is correct if the student is/was tutored by Hawking; "a student of Hawking" if the person studies/studied the man and his work.
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 13 '14 at 8:30
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
If anything, the commas weaken that sentence. They imply a pause either side of a rather heavily emphasised actually. This certainly gives some emphasis of feeling - in a rather confrontational or disputatious manner - but adds nothing to the issue of key importance to you.
Since the status of this other person (are they a Hawking's student or not?) is important to you, you should emphasise the agency of that. To do this, it would be better if actually and is were paired and emphasised together. Commas do not help here. Italics would be better
someone who actually is a Hawking's student
or reversing the order of those two words
someone who is actually a Hawking's student
Both options give a better flow, which sustains the energy of your debate. Drop the commas, which (to me) seem to diminish and hamper the tone.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You could trying bolding or italisizing "is a Hawking's student", and just get rid of the actually.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
I would replace "actually" with a word such was bona fide or genuine. The sentence should read, "I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who is a bona fide student of Hawking, at least I am." You may even use a dash instead of the comma, depending on how much you want to emphasize the latter part of the sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
If anything, the commas weaken that sentence. They imply a pause either side of a rather heavily emphasised actually. This certainly gives some emphasis of feeling - in a rather confrontational or disputatious manner - but adds nothing to the issue of key importance to you.
Since the status of this other person (are they a Hawking's student or not?) is important to you, you should emphasise the agency of that. To do this, it would be better if actually and is were paired and emphasised together. Commas do not help here. Italics would be better
someone who actually is a Hawking's student
or reversing the order of those two words
someone who is actually a Hawking's student
Both options give a better flow, which sustains the energy of your debate. Drop the commas, which (to me) seem to diminish and hamper the tone.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
If anything, the commas weaken that sentence. They imply a pause either side of a rather heavily emphasised actually. This certainly gives some emphasis of feeling - in a rather confrontational or disputatious manner - but adds nothing to the issue of key importance to you.
Since the status of this other person (are they a Hawking's student or not?) is important to you, you should emphasise the agency of that. To do this, it would be better if actually and is were paired and emphasised together. Commas do not help here. Italics would be better
someone who actually is a Hawking's student
or reversing the order of those two words
someone who is actually a Hawking's student
Both options give a better flow, which sustains the energy of your debate. Drop the commas, which (to me) seem to diminish and hamper the tone.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
add a comment |
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
If anything, the commas weaken that sentence. They imply a pause either side of a rather heavily emphasised actually. This certainly gives some emphasis of feeling - in a rather confrontational or disputatious manner - but adds nothing to the issue of key importance to you.
Since the status of this other person (are they a Hawking's student or not?) is important to you, you should emphasise the agency of that. To do this, it would be better if actually and is were paired and emphasised together. Commas do not help here. Italics would be better
someone who actually is a Hawking's student
or reversing the order of those two words
someone who is actually a Hawking's student
Both options give a better flow, which sustains the energy of your debate. Drop the commas, which (to me) seem to diminish and hamper the tone.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
If anything, the commas weaken that sentence. They imply a pause either side of a rather heavily emphasised actually. This certainly gives some emphasis of feeling - in a rather confrontational or disputatious manner - but adds nothing to the issue of key importance to you.
Since the status of this other person (are they a Hawking's student or not?) is important to you, you should emphasise the agency of that. To do this, it would be better if actually and is were paired and emphasised together. Commas do not help here. Italics would be better
someone who actually is a Hawking's student
or reversing the order of those two words
someone who is actually a Hawking's student
Both options give a better flow, which sustains the energy of your debate. Drop the commas, which (to me) seem to diminish and hamper the tone.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:54
itsbruce
3,41821026
3,41821026
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You could trying bolding or italisizing "is a Hawking's student", and just get rid of the actually.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
You could trying bolding or italisizing "is a Hawking's student", and just get rid of the actually.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
You could trying bolding or italisizing "is a Hawking's student", and just get rid of the actually.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
You could trying bolding or italisizing "is a Hawking's student", and just get rid of the actually.
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
answered Dec 12 '14 at 15:22
Kurtbusch
216138
216138
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
I would replace "actually" with a word such was bona fide or genuine. The sentence should read, "I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who is a bona fide student of Hawking, at least I am." You may even use a dash instead of the comma, depending on how much you want to emphasize the latter part of the sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
I would replace "actually" with a word such was bona fide or genuine. The sentence should read, "I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who is a bona fide student of Hawking, at least I am." You may even use a dash instead of the comma, depending on how much you want to emphasize the latter part of the sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
I would replace "actually" with a word such was bona fide or genuine. The sentence should read, "I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who is a bona fide student of Hawking, at least I am." You may even use a dash instead of the comma, depending on how much you want to emphasize the latter part of the sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I would replace "actually" with a word such was bona fide or genuine. The sentence should read, "I think we are all looking for an answer from someone who is a bona fide student of Hawking, at least I am." You may even use a dash instead of the comma, depending on how much you want to emphasize the latter part of the sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
answered 5 hours ago
Joe Dupper
1
1
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joe Dupper is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
add a comment |
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
Joe, the question asks about the correctness of the commas, not for an alternative wording. It would be better to post this as a comment rather than using the Answer Box. Comments are a privilege requiring 50 reputation points. You can earn these points fairly easily by posting good answers (each upvote earns you 10 pts) or questions (upvotes earn 5 pts). See How to Answer for tips on framing a good answer, and be sure to take the Tour. :-)
– Chappo
53 mins ago
add a comment |
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1
Idiomatically, most of us would say ...someone who is actually a Hawking's student, where no comma is required (the word actually can come before or after the verb is, depending on exactly what emphasis you want). And orthographically most of us would either start a new sentence or follow that with a dash, not a comma.
– FumbleFingers
Dec 12 '14 at 15:20
1
The positioning of 'actually' can change what it does. And this example doesn't work. Also, what is a 'Hawking's student'? Is 'a student of Hawking' meant or 'a student of Hawking's'? (Or is there actually an establishment callled Hawking's College?)
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 12 '14 at 16:06
@EdwinAshworth, By Hawking's student, I mean a student of Stephen Hawking.
– India Slaver
Dec 13 '14 at 2:36
It's not idiomatic to say "a Hawking's student". "A student of Hawking's" is correct if the student is/was tutored by Hawking; "a student of Hawking" if the person studies/studied the man and his work.
– Edwin Ashworth
Dec 13 '14 at 8:30