[Grammar] comma usuage

[livedeon52@hotmail.com]

I recently had a discussion at my work place re a sentence I wrote and my boss had a problem with, I am therefore seeking your help for clarity. The sentence was: I, Chris Brown, have hired John Brown to be my licensed plumber. My boss thinks there should be only one comma and that is the one that comes after the name Chris Brown. He claims i need to remove the comma after I. Could you please assist by providing clarity so i can further explain to my boss ...thanks for your assistance

 

[IHIVG]

Comma Usage

Use commas to set off a word or a group of words that is not essential to the meaning of a preceding noun or pronoun, such a word or group of words is a nonrestrictive appositive. The appositive usually restates or gives more information about the noun that precedes it in some way.
Dr. Pulaski, the principal speaker, is an industrial psychologist.
Her first book, Principles of Effective Management, was published in 1984.
He, Charles Houston, bought and renovated the building a few years ago.

 

[tedtmc]

not a teacher

Your version is correct. The comma must be there after 'I', like you often find in statutory declarations.

 

[Barb_D]

Simply, tell your boss it's an appositive, which is set off with commas before and after (as stated above).

 

[livedeon52@hotmail.com]

:-D Thanks to you all for your response...I guess by now my boss is finally convinced.

 

[kfredson]

I recently had a discussion at my work place re a sentence I wrote and my boss had a problem with, I am therefore seeking your help for clarity. The sentence was: I, Chris Brown, have hired John Brown to be my licensed plumber. My boss thinks there should be only one comma and that is the one that comes after the name Chris Brown. He claims i need to remove the comma after I. Could you please assist by providing clarity so i can further explain to my boss ...thanks for your assistance

Yes, I agree; it needs two commas. But I hope you don't mind my pointing out that your first sentence requires a semi-colon and not a comma. Two independent clauses such as these need either a period or a semi-colon to separate them. It is a common mistake, even with native speakers.

 

[IHIVG]

Two independent clauses such as these need either a period or a semi-colon to separate them. It is a common mistake, even with native speakers.

It is. And what is more, it seems to have nothing to do with English itself; this mistake is also quite common in my language.