1

Concerning this question: what would be the the usage of a comma in either of the last two examples. (a comma version and a comma less version).

After 'You can virtually guarantee to get a good tan in June in the Caribbean or on the Mediterranean.' I'd want the comma'd version. [But I haven't checked the weather facts.]

After 'I like to visit Palm Springs/ to be sure rain won't interfere with my golf practice.' I might well use the comma-less version.

I can see a potential comma after Palm Springs but not on the other sentence.

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/322373/is-a-comma-necessary-after-an-introductory-but-a-main-clause-dependent-element

1
  • 1
    I don't see introductory clauses in these examples. You should point them out in your question.
    – user3169
    Commented Jul 18, 2018 at 17:58

1 Answer 1

1

I can't see anywhere a comma would fit in either of your sentences as they are currently. The SE question you linked is about using commas after introductory clauses, which neither of your questions have.

An example of a sentence with an introductory clause would be:

In Palm Springs, I can be sure the rain wont interfere with my golf practice.

The introductory clause here is in Palm Springs and the main clause is I can be sure the rain wont interfere with my gold practice.

However, these commas are entirely optional and if you can avoid them you should. Personally, in the above sentence I wouldn't use a comma.

Also, there are a few errors in your first sentence, and fixing one of them results in an introductory clause:

In June, you are virtually guaranteed to get a good tan in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean region.

Firstly, adverb order makes the in June in the Caribbean sound awkward. Normally, we'd just rearrange the adverbs but in this case you need them in this particular order for the sentence to make sense. So, we make the in June part an introductory clause. I put the comma in because it further removes in June from the other adverbs (making the fact that we are ignoring adverb order less obvious).

Secondly, you can virtually guarantee to is a common mistake. The grammatical version is you are virtually guaranteed to.

Finally, the Mediterranean can't be used like the Caribbean. The Caribbean is a name on its own, but the Mediterranean isn't (unless you're talking about a hotel called 'The Mediterranean' or something). Instead I used the Mediterranean region, but area or some other noun works fine.

You must log in to answer this question.

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