difficult punctuation question: Such a path that he chose to take, is dangerous.

ConfidenceMan

Such a path that he chose to take, is dangerous.

Such a path, that he chose to take, is dangerous.

The first means the EXACT same thing right, since SUCH defines the PATH all by itself and HE CHOSE TO TAKE is not a necessary part of its definition?

Thank you.

Pamela · Sat Aug 02, 2008 20:20 pm *difficult question*

Hi ConfidenceMan,

I think your punctuation is incorrect in your first sentence but fine in the second. The detached attributive clause in #2 is non-restrictive Laughing

ConfidenceMan · Sat Aug 02, 2008 20:31 pm *difficult question*

I think you chose the wrong emoticon. Laughing

Yankee · Sat Aug 02, 2008 20:45 pm *difficult question*

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The comma in the first sentence is wrong and must be omitted because it improperly separates the subject and the verb.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

ConfidenceMan · Sat Aug 02, 2008 20:50 pm *difficult question*

Are you certain? Because I put it there for clarity. Thanks.

Ralf · Sat Aug 02, 2008 20:54 pm *difficult question*

Yes, Amy is right - you can't seperate the predicate from the subject here.
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ConfidenceMan · Sat Aug 02, 2008 20:59 pm *difficult question*

What do you guys think of this rule? Thanks.

# Fowler's Modern English Usage demonstrates an optional use of commas with two sentences differing only by a comma:

* The teacher beat the scholar with a whip. A simple description.
* The teacher beat the scholar, with a whip. Expression of outrage.
o An alternative interpretation is that the second example represents a comma used to remove an ambiguity — to clarify that it was the teacher, not the scholar, who had the whip.

Ralf · Sat Aug 02, 2008 21:04 pm *difficult question*

'The teacher beat the scholar - with a whip!' - that's an expression of outrage!

Yes, an alternative interpretation could indeed mean that the comma clarifies the manner. But there is no ambiguity as to who does the beating!
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ConfidenceMan · Sat Aug 02, 2008 21:10 pm *difficult question*

Oh well, I don't know.

I use the comma to separate a restrictive clause with the general clause.

Aren't there any other individual than me, who make such usage of the comma?

Ralf · Sat Aug 02, 2008 21:21 pm *difficult question*

ConfidenceMan · Sat Aug 02, 2008 21:37 pm *difficult question*

Yes, I know that; however, I just thought I could take the liberty to deviate from the usual usage, the common norm, English not having an official authority in the matter of grammar. I just find the separating a restrictive clause with the general clause to have an unique aesthetic beauty in style.

Ralf · Sun Aug 03, 2008 15:38 pm *difficult punctuation question*

You're right, when it comes to using une virgule, your more flexible in English (than in i.e. French). But in German, for example, you are even more flexible (or, to be precise, at most times bound to obligation) to use a comma in places where it'd seem odd in English.
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Yankee · Sun Aug 03, 2008 19:49 pm *difficult punctuation question*

Hi CM

Here is a site that you might find useful. Number 9 on that page is especially relevant to this thread:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
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Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

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