punctuation

[mengta]

John's relatively indirect statement is a step forward compared to his stronger language in the past.

does it need a "comma" between "forward" and "compared" ?

is it correct if i rewrite the sentence to "John's relatively indirect statement,which is compared to his stronger language in the past,is a step forward.

thanks

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by mengta

John's relatively indirect statement is a step forward compared to his stronger language in the past.

does it need a "comma" between "forward" and "compared" ?

is it correct if i rewrite the sentence to "John's relatively indirect statement,which is compared to his stronger language in the past,is a step forward.

thanks

I would place a comma between "forward" and "compared".

Your revision is not correct. It would work, if you replace "which is" with "when".

:wink:

[mengta]

so the sentence means.....

John's relatively indirect statement is a step forward,when the statement is compared to his stronger language in the past.

i want to make sure it's "john" or " the statement" is compared to....

thanks

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

I would place a comma between "forward" and "compared".

Your revision is not correct. It would work, if you replace "which is" with "when".

:wink:

[Tdol]

I'd say it's a bit of both; it's his language use, and the statement is the text that the comparison possible.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by mengta

so the sentence means.....

John's relatively indirect statement is a step forward,when the statement is compared to his stronger language in the past.

i want to make sure it's "john" or " the statement" is compared to....

thanks

Yes, your sense is correct. John's (current) statement is being compared to his past use of language. :wink: