In the following sentence can we omit the commas around 'Francine'? I'm referring to only two people: Francene (who is my wife) and Joella. Joe said, “My wife, Francine, and Joella will be at the party.” The way the sentence is punctuated makes it appear as though three people are being referenced: my wife, Francine, and Joella. In the interest of clarity, we need to jettison those commas around the nonrestrictive appositive "Francine" and write it thusly: Joe said, “My wife Francine and Joella will be at the party.” Do you concur? Thank you.
What about a colon? I was tempted to reword this and put Joella first, or something like 'friend' before Joella, but I know you don't like that. Joe said, “My wife: Francine, and Joella, will be at the party.”
Thanks, Okon, but I think that's an unorthodox usage of the colon. Joella and my wife, Francine, will be at the party is an excellent option. Thank you.
colon is totally wrong, okon... you were right to leave out the commas, dill... for the right reason...
I think it might matter in regards to the context of the dialog. If I asked you "Who is going to the party?" Answering "My wife, Francine, and Joella will be at the party." is, I believe, an acceptable use of the additional pause. Because the preceding comment was inquiring a bit deeper. The general statement now has to provide detailed information segmented by the comma for clarity. They both work. If I read this in such a situation, I wouldn't blink at it as improper or confusing. Alone yes, it could be misleading. The statement reads as an answer. That is why I thought I would raise the thought to everyone. Just a couple pennies. Dave
i don't see the preceding question, or the statement being an answer, as a cure for the ambiguity of the commaed version, dave... the comma still makes it seem most likely that three are going to the party, not just two... or, that francine may be asking the question and the speaker has scrambled his syntax...
