1. jakeybum

    jakeybum Active Member

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    Comma changes meaning

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by jakeybum, Jul 7, 2017.

    WITH COMMA
    I'm watching The Incredible Hulk, with Bill Bixby. (Means I'm watching The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby.)

    WITHOUT COMMA
    I'm watching The Incredible Hulk with Bill Bixby. (Means that a guy named Bill Bixby as well as I are watching The Incredible Hulk together.)

    Am I correct on both counts?
     
  2. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

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    Yes, but many people don't understand commas, so regardless of what's correct you're better off phrasing the sentence so there's no ambiguity. "I'm watching The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby" is unambiguous. I'd go with that.
     
  3. jakeybum

    jakeybum Active Member

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    Thank you.
     
    Tenderiser likes this.
  4. rktho

    rktho Contributor Contributor

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    The letter I received from you two weeks ago, I
    Noticed a comma in the middle of a phrase
    It changed the meaning
    Did you intend this?
    One stroke and you've consumed my waking days!
     
    Laurin Kelly likes this.
  5. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

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    I saw a murder mystery where a woman killed herself because of a misplaced comma. True fact.
     
    rktho likes this.
  6. NiallRoach

    NiallRoach Contributor Contributor

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    We've all been there
     
    Seven Crowns and rktho like this.

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