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Grammar help, please - NJMT

Posted: Jul 04, 2012

In the sentence below, are there any commas or semicolons necessary or is it correct as shown? Why (or why not) should there be punctuation before and/or following the word "however?" I have been told that it is correct without any punctuation, but it looks odd to me:

The patient is aware that he was to receive 4 consecutive weeks however opted not to.

this is how I would do it... - sadMT

[ In Reply To ..]
The patient is aware that he was to receive 4 consecutive weeks; however, opted not to.

I can't really tell you "why" this seems right to me. I'm pretty good with grammar, but just can't explain all the rules like your high school English teacher would. So the above is just my opinion on what feels right. Please don't assume that it's correct or what your account manager wants. Mine seems to think that commas are the curse of the world! lol

The BOS2 shows the semicolon is used... - BrendaK

[ In Reply To ..]
when connecting 2 complete, closely related thoughts in a single sentence. If the second phrase was "he opted not to," I believe the semicolon would be correct.

However... - BrendaK

[ In Reply To ..]
According to the BOS2, however is an interruptive in this sentence and requires commas before and after, so it should read....

The patient is aware that he was to receive 4 consecutive weeks, however, opted not to.

Preposition - On site MT

[ In Reply To ..]
A sentence should not end with a preposition. I would rework it somehow so that it does not end with the word "to."

I agree, but I wouldn't be allowed to on my verbatim accounts. =/ (nm) - BrendaK

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

not correct - deenibeeni

[ In Reply To ..]
An interruptive interrupts a single clause, not two separate ones. You could say "The patient, however, is aware that he was to receive 4 consecutive weeks but opted not to."

or "The patient is aware, however, that he was..."

or "The doctor told him he was to receive 4 consecutive weeks; the patient, however, opted not to.

In all these cases the adverb "however" is working on only one of the clauses.

Like you said below, the problem is with the word 'however' - BrendaK

[ In Reply To ..]
and 'but' really should be used. If she can't change what the author said, would you agree with using the commas to offset the 'however' as closest to correct, even if technically wrong?

odd - deenibeeni

[ In Reply To ..]
The reason it looks odd is that "however" is being used as a coordinating conjunction joining main and subordinate clauses, which it isn't. "However" doesn't substitute for "but" as a coordinating conjunction between main and subordinate clauses; it contrasts two independent clauses expressing ideas that are more or less equal. (There are other uses for "however," but they aren't relevant here.)

"But" is the coordinating conjunction that belongs in this sentence. Because the two clauses on either side of it are not complete, you would not use a comma. My test for this is is there a subject on both sides of the conjunction? If not, no comma. Another test: Could you substitute a semicolon for the conjunction? In other words, could either clause stand alone? If not, no comma.

The sentence *with* a comma would have the subject "he" in the second clause: The patient is aware that he was to receive 4 consecutive weeks, but he opted not to." Or "...; however, he opted not to." Now there are two main clauses on either side of the conjunction. This is also the case where "however," a conjunctive adverb, could be used.

Ending with a preposition... - (see message)

[ In Reply To ..]
I've read that it's been drilled into our heads for so long that you shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition that lots of people think it's an error to EVER do so, but that's not necessarily the case. If you google about this a little, you'll probably find better explanations about it. It's apparently a "grammar myth." There are some sentences where it's absolutely O.K. to end with a preposition, depending on what is meant.

I got a laugh out of this story. I may not have it exactly right, but the gist of the story is that Winston Churchill was admonished one day for ending a sentence with a preposition. He replied, "This is the sort of bloody nonsense up with which I will not put." :-D

You're right - deenibeeni

[ In Reply To ..]
When applying for unemployment, you will have many forms out to fill.

this reminds me of a great birthday card I - sadMT

[ In Reply To ..]
got one time. It shows 2 women having a drink together. One says, "Where's your birthday party at?" The other says, "Don't end a sentence in a preposition." When you open the card, you get the reply from the first woman: "Where's your birthday party at, b*tch?"

I've seen that one, sadMT.... - so funny....LOL. (n/m)

[ In Reply To ..]
:-D

Thanks for the explanation.. - NJMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Now it makes sense to me!

Here's a good link - deenibeeni

[ In Reply To ..]
See link.

Thanks - this is what I was looking for! - NJMT

[ In Reply To ..]
At least I know why it does not require commas - thanks! (I bookmarked it too.)

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