commas

Status
Not open for further replies.
N

navi tasan

Key Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
Persian
Home Country
Iran
Current Location
United States
1-His brother, John, is coming over for a visit.
2-His brother John is coming over for a visit.

Does 1 necessarily imply that he has only one brother?
Does 2 necesssarilly imply that he has more than one brother?
 
Barb_D

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
They imply that, yes. However, don't be surprised if people use the commas either way with either meaning.

His [one] brother, [who, by the way is named] John,
His brother John [as opposed to his brothers Paul, George, or Ringo] is..
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top