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Comma or not?
Posted: 04 Feb 2020, 22:01
by Kelyn
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?
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 05 Feb 2020, 01:05
by Manang Muyang
Kelyn wrote: ↑04 Feb 2020, 22:01
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.
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 05 Feb 2020, 06:36
by 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.
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 05 Feb 2020, 08:23
by Manang Muyang
inaramid wrote: ↑05 Feb 2020, 06:36
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.
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 05 Feb 2020, 18:29
by Kelyn
Thank you both, I think I'll go with the colon. Inaramid, thanks for the site. I've bookmarked it.
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 13 Nov 2020, 13:53
by emidio125
I think there was a need to include a comma before rumors or just put the word in quotation marks.
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 30 Nov 2020, 09:40
by Melexa
Miriam Molina wrote: ↑05 Feb 2020, 01:05
Kelyn wrote: ↑04 Feb 2020, 22:01
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.
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 04 Jan 2021, 03:39
by 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. "
Re: Comma or not?
Posted: 20 Jan 2021, 07:45
by cbear5
I would say something needs to go there. I agree with the people saying a colon or a dash.