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Subject:RE: To comma or not to comma From:"walden miller" <wmiller -at- vidiom -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 14 Oct 2003 11:22:17 -0600
> A quick question on usage. Take the phrase "high-priority overdue
> item". Should there be a comma after "high-priority"?
>
> I guess technically "high-priority" modifies "item", and not
> "overdue". But it could be taken as modifying "overdue item". Can
> someone help out with the rule on this?
When it doubt change the order of the phrasing:
Overdue high-priority item or high-priority item which is overdue
Vs
High-priority overdue item or overdue item which is high-priority
This shows the differences easily enough...So,
No comma and change the phrasing so there is no adjective string (almost
always confusing)
OR
Determine which of the above is correct and then use a comma.
One problem is that many people believe there is an intrinsic order of
adjectival placement (color before size or whatever). However, most people
do not agree on the order...It is based on what sounds good. Commas help
(as do hyphen connectors), but adding adjectives and commas (i.e., the
green, big, long, high-priority, overdue, library book) becomes a nightmare
(and silly).
So it is usually a good rule of thumb to break up adjectival series to
highlight your intent.
Too many linguistic classes and too much silly research...
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