I gave him a box, inside the box was a gift.

Status
Not open for further replies.

theol

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2020
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
Japan
Current Location
Japan
I gave him a box, inside the box was a gift.

Is a comma a good way to connect these two sentence? If not, how can I make changes of it?
 

Skrej

VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2015
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I gave him a box, inside the box was a gift.

Is a comma a good way to connect these two sentence? If not, how can I make changes of to it?
No, a comma will not work because it creates a comma splice. Either use a period and start a new sentence, or use a semi-colon. A third option is to use a coordinating conjunction with the comma. The final option would be a subordinating conjunction, although you have rather limited possible choices with these two particular clauses.
 
Last edited:

Tarheel

VIP Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2014
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
@theol You can keep the comma if you do this:

I gave him a box, and inside the box was a gift.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

jutfrank

VIP Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
You can avoid repetition of box by forming a relative clause:

I gave him a box, inside which was a gift.
I gave him a box, which had a gift inside.


Another option is to use with:

I gave him a box with a gift inside.
 

Rover_KE

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
I can't help envisioning a mother saying to her daughter 'Pandora, whatever you do, don't open that box your Uncle Zeus gave you.

I said 'DON'T OPEN THAT BO ... AWW CRA ...
 

Skrej

VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2015
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
(y)I can't help envisioning a mother saying to her daughter 'Pandora, whatever you do, don't open that box your Uncle Zeus gave you.

I said 'DON'T OPEN THAT BO ... AWW CRA ...

Sounds like a Neil Gaiman short story in the making.(y)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top