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Comma, article & new sentence

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bmo

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2003
"Hey, John, do you think people will like a referendum?"
"Well, I don't know, this will be a first time; the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let's wait and see."

(1). Do you need a comma after Hey?
(2). There are two "a"s, should the second one be changed to "the?"
(3). Last sentence beginniong with "Let," should this even be a new sentence, or just be part of last sentence, with a comma preceding it?
(4). Anything else wrong I did not see?

Thanks.

BMO
 

RonBee

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Feb 9, 2003
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Re:

"Hey, John, do you think people will like a referendum?"

<<(1). Do you need a comma after Hey?>>

There should be a comma after "Hey". The comma indicates the pause that would be there in speech.

Re:

"Hey, John, do you think people will like a referendum?"
"Well, I don't know, this will be a first time; the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let's wait and see."

<<(2). There are two "a"s, should the second one be changed to "the?">>

Yes. "This will be a first time" is not natural.

"Let's wait and see" is fine as is.

<<(4). Anything else wrong I did not see?>>

Try: "Do you think people would like a referendum?" (Or: would like to have a referendum)
 

Tdol

Editor, UsingEnglish.com
Staff member
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Nov 13, 2002
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Japan
Try 'this will be a first' instead. ;-)
 

Tdol

Editor, UsingEnglish.com
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Native Language
British English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
Japan
You're welcome. ;-)
 
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