0

Obviously, this is a compound-complex sentence. Is there missing a comma between the first two clauses in this sentence?

Orignial: "When I was at the Academy I had the pick of models, but now I can never seem to hang on to them. "

Changed: "When I was at the Academy, I had the pick of models, but now I can never seem to hang on to them. "

Improve this question
1
  • 1
    A comma is unnecessary, but correct, in that position. Think of it as optional. The original two clauses make a complete sentence in which the comma is also optional; I think the comma detracts from the meaning of the longer sentence.
    – rcook
    Commented Aug 2, 2020 at 2:21

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

"When I was at the Academy" is an adverbial clause. When we put adverbial clauses at the start of a sentence, we normally put a comma between the adverbial clause and the main sentence. The longer or more complex the adverbial clause, the more important the comma.

You can use a comma after a leading single word adverb, but it is definitely not necessary:

Tomorrow, we will got shopping.
Tomorrow we will go shopping.

Improve this answer
3
  • HI JavaLatte. What if the sentence is like this: "When I was at the Academy, I had the pick of models." Can the comma be dropped?
    – Den Allan
    Commented Aug 3, 2020 at 6:18
  • @DenAllan The adverbial clause in your sentence is the same, and that's the deciding factor on whether a comma is necessary. If you simplified the adverbial clause "That year I had the pick of models..." then the comma is less important. The complexity of the main clause doesn't affect it.
    – JavaLatte
    Commented Aug 3, 2020 at 12:33
  • So it is grammatically correct without the comma. On the other hand, I guess it has to do with style regarding if it is necessary. "When I was at the Academy I had the pick of models." It looks strange to me without comma.
    – Den Allan
    Commented Aug 3, 2020 at 18:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .