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Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?
Posted: 23 May 2022, 18:04
by Kaitlyn Canedy
Hi all,
I am really confused about the comma usage in the following sentences. Which is correct and why? I think the first one is correct, but I am unsure. Credible academic writing sources to support your response are very highly encouraged. Thank you!
"No one thought that, after playing the baseball game, he would be so tired."
"No one thought that after playing the baseball game, he would be so tired."
Re: Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?
Posted: 23 May 2022, 18:52
by MsH2k
Hi,
The ultimate credible writing source to support the correct usage would be the writer of the sentence. It depends on their intent. I think the second sentence is correct because it seems as if “that” and everything that follows is the direct object of the sentence, so the first comma is not needed. The second comma is correct after the prepositional phrase. Including the first comma would imply that “after playing the baseball game” is nonessential, but it seems that it is: he is so tired because he played the baseball game.
Another option would be to move the prepositional phrase to the end:
“No one thought he would be so tired after playing the baseball game.”
Depending on the writer’s intent, these references can support either case.
https://www.englishgrammar101.com/modul ... al-phrases
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
Re: Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?
Posted: 23 May 2022, 20:13
by Kaitlyn Canedy
MsH2k wrote: ↑23 May 2022, 18:52
Hi,
The ultimate credible writing source to support the correct usage would be the writer of the sentence. It depends on their intent. I think the second sentence is correct because it seems as if “that” and everything that follows is the direct object of the sentence, so the first comma is not needed. The second comma is correct after the prepositional phrase. Including the first comma would imply that “after playing the baseball game” is nonessential, but it seems that it is: he is so tired because he played the baseball game.
Another option would be to move the prepositional phrase to the end:
“No one thought he would be so tired after playing the baseball game.”
Depending on the writer’s intent, these references can support either case.
https://www.englishgrammar101.com/modul ... al-phrases
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
Thank you so much! This explanation makes a lot of sense. The first source was very helpful for determining which of these sentences is correct.

Re: Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?
Posted: 24 May 2022, 15:10
by MsH2k
Katie Canedy wrote: ↑23 May 2022, 20:13
MsH2k wrote: ↑23 May 2022, 18:52
Hi,
The ultimate credible writing source to support the correct usage would be the writer of the sentence. It depends on their intent. I think the second sentence is correct because it seems as if “that” and everything that follows is the direct object of the sentence, so the first comma is not needed. The second comma is correct after the prepositional phrase. Including the first comma would imply that “after playing the baseball game” is nonessential, but it seems that it is: he is so tired because he played the baseball game.
Another option would be to move the prepositional phrase to the end:
“No one thought he would be so tired after playing the baseball game.”
Depending on the writer’s intent, these references can support either case.
https://www.englishgrammar101.com/modul ... al-phrases
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
Thank you so much! This explanation makes a lot of sense. The first source was very helpful for determining which of these sentences is correct.
You're very welcome! I'm glad it helped.
Re: Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?
Posted: 12 Mar 2024, 01:01
by Rakesh+12345
Second one is the correct.
Re: Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?
Posted: 12 Mar 2024, 11:43
by Tobi Adefila
I feel the second sentence is correct.