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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > Is there a coma?
Is there a coma?
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szamoca
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Is there a coma?
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Good morning!
Please tell me where should I put a coma in this sentence, before who?
The book which is a bestseller is written by Nathan Davis who has written ten novels.
Thank you! |
9 Oct 2009
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supereme
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Good morning !!
you should put the coma here: by Nathan Davis, who...
Cheers |
9 Oct 2009
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alien boy
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I �d be inclined to put commas in the following positions:
The book, which is a best seller, is written by Nathan Davis, who has written ten novels.
There are two relative clauses - one about the book & one about the author.
Regards,
AB
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9 Oct 2009
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mokus19
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I think AB is right! I should use the commas in the same places...
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9 Oct 2009
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vickyvar
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I think I �d write it this way:
The book which is a bestseller is written by Nathan Davis, who has written ten novels.
I wouldn �t put the first relative clause in commas as it is defining and necessary to understand which book you are talking about. The second one is a non-defining clause, thus can be put in commas, as it only gives some extra information about the author.
Hope this helps and you can also look up defining - non-defining relative clauses.
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9 Oct 2009
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alien boy
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vickyvar has made a good point!
However it really does depend on
the context within which tha statment is made as to whether it is a
defining or non-defining clause.
The first relative clause would be defining if we knew there was more than one book as an option.
i.e. The book which is a bestseller (as distinct from any other books that are not bestsellers) is written by Nathan Davis, who has written ten novels.
This does seem, however, very unnatural to me as a native speaker! I �d expect to hear or read it:
The book is a best seller written by Nathan Davis, who has written ten novels.
or
This book is a best seller written by Nathan Davis, ....
edit: However, when the commas are inserted as per my original post, it then becomes a natural native English expression.
The construction �The book which is a bestseller � sounds/reads like someone who is not a native speaker. After I take care of some other pressing issues I �ll try & find a reference from Swann to add to the discussion.
Cheers,
AB
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9 Oct 2009
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szamoca
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Thanks for your quick answers. |
9 Oct 2009
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mjotab
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I agree with alien boy, I think "which is a bestseller" is non-defining too. I am not a native, but it would be the same in Spanish. |
9 Oct 2009
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ozquivir
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Both are acceptable and totally correct |
9 Oct 2009
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aaelaim
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The best answer is answered by Alien Boy
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9 Oct 2009
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