If this is not rebirth or afterlife, then it can/could be the comma

[Rachel Adams]

Can I use either "could" or "can" in my sentence and should it be "comma" or "the comma"?

"No one knows what awaits us after death. If this is not rebirth or afterlife, then it can/could be the comma."

 

[Tarheel]

I suppose you are right that it could be, but I'm not sure what you mean by that.

 

[Rachel Adams]

I suppose you are right that it could be, but I'm not sure what you mean by that.

I mean it's (the comma) like the period before life, death, and rebirth. Could you tell me if it should be "can" or "could" "the comma" or "comma"?

 

[5jj]

I mean it's (the comma) like the period before life, death, and rebirth.

Where have you seen 'comma' used with this meaning?

 

[Tarheel]

I mean it's (the comma) like the period before life, death, and rebirth. Could you tell me if it should be "can" or "could" "the comma" or "comma"?

Well, I used "could" in my sentence, and "the comma" seems to fit. However, if I said it I wouldn't know what I was saying.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Where have you seen 'comma' used with this meaning?

Oh, it's a typo. I mean "coma".

 

[Rachel Adams]

Well, I used "could" in my sentence, and "the comma" seems to fit. However, if I said it I wouldn't know what I was saying.

I meant
"No one knows what awaits us after death. If this is not rebirth or afterlife, then it can/could be the coma."

Would you use "can" and "coma" or "the coma"?

 

[5jj]

'The coma' makes no sense in that sentence. Death is not a coma.

 

[Rachel Adams]

'The coma' makes no sense in that sentence. Death is not a coma.

I know it's not a coma. But regarding the grammar of that sentence should it be "a coma" , "coma" or "the coma," and "can" instead of "could" if the speaker is describing the state between life and death?

 

[5jj]

as we don't know what noun we are dealing with. we cannot say what, if any, article is required.

'Could' is probably the verb-form you need.

 

[Rachel Adams]

as we don't know what noun we are dealing with. we cannot say what, if any, article is required.

'Could' is probably the verb-form you need.

I am talking about "coma" a deep unconscious state, usually lasting a long time and caused by serious illness or injury."

Does this part below make sense? I used "a coma".

"No one knows what awaits us after death. If this is not rebirth or afterlife, then it could be a coma".

 

[Tarheel]

I understand it better now. It sort of makes sense.

 

[5jj]

Does this part below make sense? I used "a coma".

"No one knows what awaits us after death. If this is not rebirth or afterlife, then it could be a coma".

No.

 

[Rachel Adams]

No.

What is wrong with it?

 

[5jj]

That's a question about beliefs, not about English.

 

[Tarheel]

Note that when I say "sort of" it can (and probably should) be taken as "Not really'.