Is a comma before the word “which” required in a particular sentence?
I believe the comma before which is required by grammatical rule. However, when I read the sentence below, I feel that the comma causes an unnatural pause for the reader. Am I wrong?
In July 2018, the company published a final report on Phase I, which
identified that limitations to the resolution of the ultrasonic
examination method could prevent the examiner from determining whether
indications found parallel to the weld during examination are cracks
in the tank or a feature of the weld.
commas
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
add a comment |
I believe the comma before which is required by grammatical rule. However, when I read the sentence below, I feel that the comma causes an unnatural pause for the reader. Am I wrong?
In July 2018, the company published a final report on Phase I, which
identified that limitations to the resolution of the ultrasonic
examination method could prevent the examiner from determining whether
indications found parallel to the weld during examination are cracks
in the tank or a feature of the weld.
commas
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
1
[...]published a Phase I final report which identified etc. That way is better.
– Lambie
11 hours ago
1
The general rule is that a non-restrictive clause - there is only one final report on Phase I - begins with "which" and is preceded by a comma. If your ear tells you to break that rule, chances are there's a better way to write the sentence, e.g., that you have subordinated the wrong thing in your subordinate clause. I suspect that recasting the sentence to use "...,which was published in July, 2018," would solve your problem.
– remarkl
9 hours ago
If you are writing according to US style guides, there should be a comma before which in this type of construction. If you don't like the comma, replace which with that (making sure that you are using a restrictive clause). In UK English style guides, however, this does not apply. (In UK English, which can be used restrictively in this construction without a comma.)
– Jason Bassford
9 hours ago
add a comment |
I believe the comma before which is required by grammatical rule. However, when I read the sentence below, I feel that the comma causes an unnatural pause for the reader. Am I wrong?
In July 2018, the company published a final report on Phase I, which
identified that limitations to the resolution of the ultrasonic
examination method could prevent the examiner from determining whether
indications found parallel to the weld during examination are cracks
in the tank or a feature of the weld.
commas
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
I believe the comma before which is required by grammatical rule. However, when I read the sentence below, I feel that the comma causes an unnatural pause for the reader. Am I wrong?
In July 2018, the company published a final report on Phase I, which
identified that limitations to the resolution of the ultrasonic
examination method could prevent the examiner from determining whether
indications found parallel to the weld during examination are cracks
in the tank or a feature of the weld.
commas
commas
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
edited 9 mins ago
user02814
51826
51826
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
asked 11 hours ago
BrettABrettA
145
145
1
[...]published a Phase I final report which identified etc. That way is better.
– Lambie
11 hours ago
1
The general rule is that a non-restrictive clause - there is only one final report on Phase I - begins with "which" and is preceded by a comma. If your ear tells you to break that rule, chances are there's a better way to write the sentence, e.g., that you have subordinated the wrong thing in your subordinate clause. I suspect that recasting the sentence to use "...,which was published in July, 2018," would solve your problem.
– remarkl
9 hours ago
If you are writing according to US style guides, there should be a comma before which in this type of construction. If you don't like the comma, replace which with that (making sure that you are using a restrictive clause). In UK English style guides, however, this does not apply. (In UK English, which can be used restrictively in this construction without a comma.)
– Jason Bassford
9 hours ago
add a comment |
1
[...]published a Phase I final report which identified etc. That way is better.
– Lambie
11 hours ago
1
The general rule is that a non-restrictive clause - there is only one final report on Phase I - begins with "which" and is preceded by a comma. If your ear tells you to break that rule, chances are there's a better way to write the sentence, e.g., that you have subordinated the wrong thing in your subordinate clause. I suspect that recasting the sentence to use "...,which was published in July, 2018," would solve your problem.
– remarkl
9 hours ago
If you are writing according to US style guides, there should be a comma before which in this type of construction. If you don't like the comma, replace which with that (making sure that you are using a restrictive clause). In UK English style guides, however, this does not apply. (In UK English, which can be used restrictively in this construction without a comma.)
– Jason Bassford
9 hours ago
1
1
[...]published a Phase I final report which identified etc. That way is better.
– Lambie
11 hours ago
[...]published a Phase I final report which identified etc. That way is better.
– Lambie
11 hours ago
1
1
The general rule is that a non-restrictive clause - there is only one final report on Phase I - begins with "which" and is preceded by a comma. If your ear tells you to break that rule, chances are there's a better way to write the sentence, e.g., that you have subordinated the wrong thing in your subordinate clause. I suspect that recasting the sentence to use "...,which was published in July, 2018," would solve your problem.
– remarkl
9 hours ago
The general rule is that a non-restrictive clause - there is only one final report on Phase I - begins with "which" and is preceded by a comma. If your ear tells you to break that rule, chances are there's a better way to write the sentence, e.g., that you have subordinated the wrong thing in your subordinate clause. I suspect that recasting the sentence to use "...,which was published in July, 2018," would solve your problem.
– remarkl
9 hours ago
If you are writing according to US style guides, there should be a comma before which in this type of construction. If you don't like the comma, replace which with that (making sure that you are using a restrictive clause). In UK English style guides, however, this does not apply. (In UK English, which can be used restrictively in this construction without a comma.)
– Jason Bassford
9 hours ago
If you are writing according to US style guides, there should be a comma before which in this type of construction. If you don't like the comma, replace which with that (making sure that you are using a restrictive clause). In UK English style guides, however, this does not apply. (In UK English, which can be used restrictively in this construction without a comma.)
– Jason Bassford
9 hours ago
add a comment |
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1
[...]published a Phase I final report which identified etc. That way is better.
– Lambie
11 hours ago
1
The general rule is that a non-restrictive clause - there is only one final report on Phase I - begins with "which" and is preceded by a comma. If your ear tells you to break that rule, chances are there's a better way to write the sentence, e.g., that you have subordinated the wrong thing in your subordinate clause. I suspect that recasting the sentence to use "...,which was published in July, 2018," would solve your problem.
– remarkl
9 hours ago
If you are writing according to US style guides, there should be a comma before which in this type of construction. If you don't like the comma, replace which with that (making sure that you are using a restrictive clause). In UK English style guides, however, this does not apply. (In UK English, which can be used restrictively in this construction without a comma.)
– Jason Bassford
9 hours ago