[Grammar] A question about phrases.

[Sammy_]

I know there are different kinds of phrases. My question is this: Which kinds of phrases require commas at the end of sentences. Here is a example:
We would be glad to serve you at any time, no questions asked.
Also, please flag any grammatical errors within this text and please explain the errors :)

Thanks,
Sam

[susiedqq]

Hi Sam-

there could have been a dash before that clause, too

- no questions asked.

or a semicolon

; no questions asked.


That sentence looks like advertising script. Don't base good written English on Advertising scripts. It's meant to be quick, brief, and not always gramatically correct.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by Sammy_

I know there are different kinds of phrases. My question is this: Which kinds of phrases require commas at the end of sentences? Here is a example:
We would be glad to serve you at any time, no questions asked.
Also, please flag any grammatical errors within this text, and please explain the errors.

Questions end with question marks, compound sentences are divided by commas, and sentences end with periods.

Thanks,
Sam

You're welcome!

Your comma after time is fine.

Commas are easy, but for some reason, they confuse people. :

Commas separate. There are only for reasons to use commas. Use them to separate:

- the parts of compound sentences.
- items in lists and series of three or more.
- dependent words and clauses (such as "no questions asked").
- the name of the person you're writing to at the beginning of a letter from your own name at the end of a letter(Dear Sammy, / Yours truly, Charlie).

I can't think of any other correct ways to use them. Does anyone else want to add to that?

[Sammy_]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

You're welcome!

Your comma after time is fine.

Commas are easy, but for some reason, they confuse people. :

Commas separate. There are only for reasons to use commas. Use them to separate:

- the parts of compound sentences.
- items in lists and series of three or more.
- dependent words and clauses (such as "no questions asked").
- the name of the person you're writing to at the beginning of a letter from your own name at the end of a letter(Dear Sammy, / Yours truly, Charlie).

I can't think of any other correct ways to use them. Does anyone else want to add to that?

I thought "no question asked" was a adverbial phrase. I mean, am I wrong in thinking that it modifies the verb serve?

Thanks,
Sam

[susiedqq]

A couple options:

We would be glad to serve you at any time and there will be no questions asked. (compound sentence)

We would be glad to serve you at any time, when there will be no questions asked. (modifies Time)

[philo2009]

Originally Posted by Sammy_

I know there are different kinds of phrases. My question is this: Which kinds of phrases require commas at the end of sentences. Here is a example:
We would be glad to serve you at any time, no questions asked.

A full answer to your question would have to be extremely detailed and lengthy, but, as regards the specific example cited here, the comma is obligatory because the underlined phrase is of a kind technically termed a nominative absolute (functionally similar to a Latin ablative absolute, but in the common [nominative] case).

[Sammy_]

Originally Posted by philo2009

A full answer to your question would have to be extremely detailed and lengthy, but, as regards the specific example cited here, the comma is obligatory because the underlined phrase is of a kind technically termed a nominative absolute (functionally similar to a Latin ablative absolute, but in the common [nominative] case).

Thank you for the help. Do you know of a site that thoroughly discusses comma rules?

[philo2009]

Originally Posted by Sammy_

Thank you for the help. Do you know of a site that thoroughly discusses comma rules?

I am afraid that I do not. I would suggest putting 'comma rules' into a search engine and see what it produces.

Good luck!