Comma or not?

[Lisa A Rayburn]

The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that rumors.

In this sentence, should there be a comma or maybe even a colon before "rumors"? None of the grammar checkers are picking it up and I use 5 different ones. It just doesn't look or sound right to me without anything, though. Does anyone know a rule for this?

[Manang Muyang]

The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that rumors.

In this sentence, should there be a comma or maybe even a colon before "rumors"? None of the grammar checkers are picking it up and I use 5 different ones. It just doesn't look or sound right to me without anything, though. Does anyone know a rule for this?

I agree that there should be something there. I would use a dash, but either a colon or a comma seems fine as well. I wouldn't know any rule to cover this example, though. You can also replace "that" with "rumors" to be on the safe side, but the sentence wouldn't be the same, I know.

[inaramid]

I agree with Miriam.

I'd go with a colon or a dash. The guideline below might help:

The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence. An em dash can be used for the same purpose.

EXAMPLE: After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty.

From https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/colon.html
© 2020 thepunctuationguide.com

I'd write your sentence as:

1) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that: rumors.
2) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that — rumors.

[Manang Muyang]

I agree with Miriam.

I'd go with a colon or a dash. The guideline below might help:

The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence. An em dash can be used for the same purpose.

EXAMPLE: After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty.

From https://www.thepunctuationguide.com/colon.html
© 2020 thepunctuationguide.com

I'd write your sentence as:

1) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that: rumors.
2) The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that — rumors.

Thanks, kabayan. I'll take note of that site.

[Lisa A Rayburn]

Thank you both, I think I'll go with the colon. Inaramid, thanks for the site. I've bookmarked it.

[emidio125]

I think there was a need to include a comma before rumors or just put the word in quotation marks.

[Melexa]

The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that rumors.

In this sentence, should there be a comma or maybe even a colon before "rumors"? None of the grammar checkers are picking it up and I use 5 different ones. It just doesn't look or sound right to me without anything, though. Does anyone know a rule for this?

I agree that there should be something there. I would use a dash, but either a colon or a comma seems fine as well. I wouldn't know any rule to cover this example, though. You can also replace "that" with "rumors" to be on the safe side, but the sentence wouldn't be the same, I know.

I agree with you. I'd use a dash.

[Rabiul_tanmoy250]

I think this sentence will be correct :

" The ugly rumors of new civil unrest had started up again, but they were just that: rumors. "

[Claire Vaal]

I would say something needs to go there. I agree with the people saying a colon or a dash.