Does this sentence need a comma after the year: "In 1962 the economics department moved"?
I need answers from people who really know what they're talking about. Please give a source or citation.
2006-08-30 07:26:10 · 11 answers · asked by warehaus 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Sorry, I'm not allowed to change the sentence. (Hey, I didn't make up the rules. They pay me, so I do what they say.)
2006-08-30 07:40:08 · update #1
I have no reference or citation for you. I am a newspaper editor, though, and can tell you the comma is not necessary. If you're really concerned, try "The economics department moved in 1962."
2006-08-30 07:33:24 · answer #1 · answered by duder_mcgruder 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't have to have a comma there, if you don't want one.
When commas are used gramatically, they separate two separate clauses, eg, "[If you don't wash your hands] [comma] [then you won't get any dinner]." The conjunctions "if" and "then" both introduce separate clauses.
In your sentence the phrase "In 1962" is not a separate clause, but a prepositional phrase which has been moved to the Head of the clause to emphasize the date. So you don't really need a comma.
However, in English we also use commas to indicate where a pause would be made in speech, and we don't always place a comma to separate clauses anyway. So if you want the reader to pause after the phrase "In 1962", you'd put in a comma. But if you don't want a pause, omit the comma. That's entirely up to you to decide though.
2006-08-30 18:49:32 · answer #2 · answered by duprie37 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The company I work for issues a "Style Guide for Writers and Editors" to be used in creating correspondence. It is based, I believe, on the Chicago Manual of Style. It states:
"Use a comma after introductory words or phrases. If the introductory element is very brief and no confusion will result, omit the comma."
So you could probably go either way with "In 1962" but I'd recommend the comma. Better yet, "The economics department moved in 1962."
2006-08-30 14:34:45 · answer #3 · answered by motherknowsbest 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
here's a site that might help.
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000067.htm
you have to know what the structure of the sentence is. and the function of "In 1962" has a comma if it is ____ but not if it is ____. I just don't remember what the blanks are.
I think it gets a comma.
I think the way to check this is if there is a comma you can detach the phrase and put it at the end and it means the same thing.
but still quite rusty.
good luck!
2006-08-30 14:33:35 · answer #4 · answered by sweets 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 1962, the economics department moved.
2006-08-30 14:47:59 · answer #5 · answered by just me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Comma rules change frequently. In this circumstance you do NOT need a comma.
It helps to read the sentence aloud. If you naturally pause while reading, you might need a comma.
2006-08-30 14:38:39 · answer #6 · answered by mortyfint 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They taught me to use comma there, but when I was writing my thesis my supervisor told me I shouldn't use commas after dates. But I still think twice when I'm writing such a sentence. I don't think it's a must, but sometimes I feel the need to put a comma there to make the sentence flow better.
2006-08-30 18:51:16 · answer #7 · answered by Earthling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about making it a more interesting sentence, such as:
The Economics Department relocated in 1962.....finish the sentence as to why the moved.
2006-08-30 14:32:56 · answer #8 · answered by Sumanitu Taka 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Comma after the date.
No source but I read alot and know what looks right.
2006-08-30 17:05:14 · answer #9 · answered by busterp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always put a comma after a date.
2006-08-30 14:32:24 · answer #10 · answered by *Larry P. he's for me* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋