You are quite right about the issue. It seems that the commas are justified by whether the appositive is non-restrictive or identifying in nature. This works for one's siblings. Yet when we consider Beethoven's opera, we ask did he write any other opera? Fidelio was his only attempt! So are the commas there simply by custom having no real rule to justify them?
>>> [log in to unmask] 07/26/01 02:55PM >>>
Bruce,
I'm afraid I must disagree with your #1 comment below. Whether the
appositive is one word or more than one word is not the issue. The issue is
whether the appositive is necessary. My usual way to teach this is to ask
who has one brother (or sister) and who has more than one. I then write out
the two variations:
My brother Charlie lives in Chicago.
My brother, Charlie, lives in Chicago.
One of the best examples I know of is this: Beethoven's opera, Fidelio, is
magnificent.
(Why can't I do italics in Outlook Express???)
--
Keeper of the memory and method of Francis Christensen.
WriteforCollege.com
The Stewart English Program (epsbooks.com)
> From: Bruce Despain <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2001 14:05:40 -0600
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: A simple question?
>
> Jennifer,
>
> 1) The commas aren't needed with single word appositives: "My sister Alice
> was beautiful."
> 2) Quotes inside quotes are ranked. Usually we have a single quote mark if
> we are quoting the material around it with double quote marks.
> 3) I have seen where a linguist, who uses the single quote marks to speak of a
> word, per se, will keep the mark within the comma. Normally the mark will
> include the comma, especially where multiple words are involved. Scientists,
> who tend to be more logical, often resist custom and insist on following logic
> in this regard.
>
> Bruce
>
>>>> [log in to unmask] 07/26/01 01:42PM >>>
> Hello one and all,
>
> I have a question. Is the placement of commas inside the quotation marks
> correct in this sentence: "The sculpture,"Discus Thrower," was beautiful to
> behold." That is, are commas always inside quotations?
>
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