comma before and after adverb: I like history, specifically, in the

C

clandry

Banned
American English
Let's say I used the sentence "I like history specifically in the field of US history."

Where do the commas belong?

This is what I think "I like history, specifically, in the field of US history."
I also think "I like history, specifically in the field of US history" sounds right as well.
 
    • Welcome.
    Are you trying to say that the only history you like is US history and you don't like any other history?
    Or
    You like history and in particular you like the specific field of US history.

    I think this will affect the phrasing and punctuation,
     
    The latter - particular interest in US history.

    Would "particularly" be better instead of "specifically?"
     
    Thanks!

    If instead, I meant US history as the "only" history. Would that require 2 commas?
     
    I'm afraid I would be puzzled by "I like history specifically in the field of US history" whether or not you used commas, clandry:(.

    It's the "in" that would puzzle me....
     
    clandry said:
    Is the use of "in" in "I like history, particularly in the field of US history" better?
    Click to expand...
    I'm sorry, I would still find the "in" strange, clandry.

    The sentence, as written, implies that you would be happy to say "I like in the field of US history". Would you?:)
     
    Oh I see.

    What if I said:
    "I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly in the of US history?"
     
    clandry said:
    Oh I see.

    What if I said:
    "I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly in the of US history?"
    Click to expand...
    I guess there's a typo here, clandry:).

    It might be worth going back a step and asking what your real point is...?
     
    I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to the of US history.
    Is that the typo?
     
    clandry said:
    I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to the of US history.
    Is that the typo?
    Click to expand...
    Look a little bit to the right of "in." Do you see anything? (Probably you don't see something.)

    When you're wondering about comma use, say the sentence out loud to yourself. Where do you pause? Put the commas into the sentence where you pause. You wouldn't say:

    "I like history [pause] particularly [pause] US history."

    You would say:

    "I like history [pause] particularly US history."

    The commas go where the pauses go.
     
    clandry said:
    I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to the of US history.
    Is that the typo?
    Click to expand...
    Clandry, you're really puzzling me:(

    Neither
    I would like to contribute significantly to the of US history.
    nor
    I would like to contribute significantly in the of US history.
    makes any sense to me.

    Perhaps I'm missing something?

    EDIT: I agree with lucas about putting commas where we put pauses in speech....

     
    Loob said:
    Clandry, you're really puzzling me:(

    Neither
    I would like to contribute significantly to the of US history.
    nor
    I would like to contribute significantly in the of US history.
    makes any sense to me.

    Perhaps I'm missing something?
    Click to expand...
    I mean "I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to/in the field of US history."
     
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