Is this sentence grammatically correct?

Question

This urge pushed me to return to the University of Minnesota to complete a Spanish specialization and to enroll in a six month intensive language program at a private language school in Guatemala.

Do I need a comma after the word "specialization"?

Answer 1

It is a Very long sentance. Why not break it up into two?

This urge pushed me to return to the University of Minnesota to complete a Spanish specilization. I was also urged to enroll in a six month intenseive language program at a private language school in Guatemala.

You can even probably find a better transition than "I was also".

Answer 2

How married are you to this loooong sentence which doubles as a small paragraph? I'd consider cosmetic surgery for it if I were you.

When in doubt, if something looks funny to you... don't stress! Break it up into smaller thoughts. Not only will it put your mind at ease, but it will make it more easily digestable. I had to read this twice to make sure I got and could give it a decent answer. Be kind to your reader.

Without knowing what this is for, how about these for examples of how to break this puppy up?

Option 1) Break right at the "and' and eliminate the problem!! To comma, or not to comma? Not even an issue anymore.

"This urge pushed me to return to the University of Minnesota to complete a Spanish specialization."
(or, if you prefer... "a specialization in Spanish" or to keep it simple, was it a major? a minor? I know, I know, no one uses those terms anymore. Just throwing out ideas...)

"I enrolled in an intensive six month language program at a private institution in Guatemala."

Done.

or...

Option 2) Change the emphasis. Again, depends on what this is for, what lead into it and what followed. Putting little details like that aside, how about...

I was compelled to return to the University of Minnesota. I sucessfully completed a Spanish specialization, which included a six month intensive-study language program in Guatemala.

In this version the emphasis is on YOU, not this random place. So what if you enrolled? Not only does that focus on the act of planning to go to place X, but it doesn't tell us if you ever went! You can sign up for lots of things, so? Did you go? Did you you kick that program's *** & blend in flawlessly with the natives? Tell a story that focuses on what amazing things you did that made these actions worthwhile. Not only will it refocus the read on YOU, but it points out how awesome you are.

Please, please, please keep in mind these examples were written without any clue as to what you're writing about. Do what makes sense for your audience!!!

Answer 3

Urges seldom push anyone---it is not a good sentence because it starts out poorly.

Commas are optional---neither the presence of nor the absence of a comma in this sentence is a grammatical failure.

The urge might have compelled you, or perhaps "I felt the urge to return" or "felt a need to" but please, do not let an urge push you, ok?

Six-month needs a hyphen.

"a Spanish specialization..." also is weak. perhaps you meant a Spanish requirement?

what is a "private language?

good-luck---Brian

Answer 4

This sentence is grammatically correct. You do not need a comma because you are using "and" to join the two thoughts together. If you wanted to shorten the sentence you may want to end the sentence after specialization. (maybe add class in afterwards)

Answer 5

It's correct as it is now. You don't need a comma because the part of the phrase after the and is not an independant clause (meaning it cant stand on its own; you couldn't make a new sentence just starting with that).

Answer 6

It is grammatically correct.
It does not need a comma after the word "specialization.
It is a long sentence though.
You might consider breaking it down into two sentences.

Answer 7

yes.