#1  
Old 08-Feb-2008, 21:28
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Default Is comma needed?

Hi! techers.

A:We need to regulate the system.
B:I agree that regulations are necessary but there's a promblem.
A:What is it?
B:The problem is how to regulate it.

I wanna know two things about the converastion. First, Isn't there any wrong part above? Second, isn't comma necessary before but in the first
B line like " ,but there's a problem"?

thanks in advance.

regards.
  #2  
Old 08-Feb-2008, 23:29
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Default Re: Is comma needed?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grinkl View Post
Hi! techers.

A:We need to regulate the system.
B:I agree that regulations are necessary but there's a problem.
A:What is it?
B:The problem is how to regulate it.

I want to/would like to know two things about the conversation. First, is there any wrong part above? Second, isn't a comma necessary before but in the first
B line like ", but there's a problem"?

thanks in advance.

regards.
No, the comma is not necessary. It is optional in this context.

The dialogue is fine.
  #3  
Old 08-Feb-2008, 23:30
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 6
Member Type: English Teacher
Default Re: Is comma needed?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grinkl View Post
Hi! techers.

A:We need to regulate the system.
B:I agree that regulations are necessary but there's a promblem.
A:What is it?
B:The problem is how to regulate it.

I wanna know two things about the converastion. First, Isn't there any wrong part above? Second, isn't comma necessary before but in the first
B line like " ,but there's a problem"?

thanks in advance.

regards.
Hi Grinkl,

I think there is something wrong. "B" talks about "regulations" and then says that "the problem is how to regulate it", where it should be "regulate them", because "regulations" are plural - and here, the joke is that they need to regulate the regulations!

About the comma: in a situation like this, some people have the opinion that we should use a comma before "but there's a problem", but others say it's not necessary. To be honest, if you read the sentence without including the comma it still works quite well, so in my opinion it can be left out.

You will see that the same applies to what I have just written above. Some of the commas I have used are not really needed but they help to break up longer sentences and make the phrasing easier to follow.
  #4  
Old 09-Feb-2008, 11:15
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 160
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Default Re: Is comma needed?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anglika View Post
No, the comma is not necessary. It is optional in this context.

The dialogue is fine.
Thank you so much for your correction in detail.^^

Last edited by Grinkl; 09-Feb-2008 at 11:23.
  #5  
Old 09-Feb-2008, 11:20
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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Default Re: Is comma needed?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CzechOne View Post
Hi Grinkl,

I think there is something wrong. "B" talks about "regulations" and then says that "the problem is how to regulate it", where it should be "regulate them", because "regulations" are plural - and here, the joke is that they need to regulate the regulations!

About the comma: in a situation like this, some people have the opinion that we should use a comma before "but there's a problem", but others say it's not necessary. To be honest, if you read the sentence without including the comma it still works quite well, so in my opinion it can be left out.

You will see that the same applies to what I have just written above. Some of the commas I have used are not really needed but they help to break up longer sentences and make the phrasing easier to follow.
Thanks, but I think it refers to the system, that's why "the problem is how to regulate it." may be ok.
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