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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > The "connector" BUT and punctuation
The "connector" BUT and punctuation
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ksfredriksen
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The "connector" BUT and punctuation
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Hi. I have two questions.
1. I have a question about the word BUT and the use of punctuation.
What is correct: I wanted to buy the car but I had no money. or
I wanted to buy the car, but I had no money.
2. The other is regarding the comma in these two sentences, and what should come first, the man said (subject + verb) or said the man (verb + subject) What is correct: "I really liked that car," said the man.
or "I really liked that car", the man said.
Thanks for answering! |
7 May 2012
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Apodo
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I wanted to buy the car but I had no money.
I wanted to buy the car, but sady, I had no money.
Both said the man and the man said are fine. |
7 May 2012
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annabelle1654
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The comma is optional because it is two short phrases, but you could also say: I wanted to buy the car, but I had no money. Because: I wanted to buy the car = independent phrase I had no money = independent phrase A comma and conjunction are used to connect two independent phrases. So technically it �s correct either way. :) Belles
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7 May 2012
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almaz
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Regarding the first part of your second question, I assume you �re wondering about the position of the comma in quotations. As is quite often the case, there is a difference in practice between British and American English (see here). |
7 May 2012
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Tere-arg
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As regards the use of a comma before "but", I understand both are fine.
Now, when quoting somebody, you say:
"I really liked that car," said the man.
or "I really liked that car", the man said.
or
"I really liked that car", he said. (but never ...said he)
"
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7 May 2012
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