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

[clandry]

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.

 

[JulianStuart]

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,

 

[clandry]

The latter - particular interest in US history.

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

 

[JulianStuart]

Indeed, that will eliminate the confusion!

I like history, particularly US history.

 

[clandry]

Thanks!

If instead, I meant US history as the "only" history. Would that require 2 commas?

 

[JulianStuart]

Then you get into how clear or overt you want to be with regard to liking, being indifferent to or even disliking the other histories out there

 

[Loob]

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]

Is the use of "in" in "I like history, particularly in the field of US history" better?

 

[Loob]

Is the use of "in" in "I like history, particularly in the field of US history" better?

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?

 

[clandry]

Oh I see.

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

 

[Loob]

Oh I see.

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

I guess there's a typo here, clandry.

It might be worth going back a step and asking what your real point is...?

 

[clandry]

I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to the of US history.
Is that the typo?

 

[lucas-sp]

I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to the of US history.
Is that the typo?

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.

 

[Loob]

I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to the of US history.
Is that the typo?

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....

 

[clandry]

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?

I mean "I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to/in the field of US history."

 

[Skatinginbc]

Why not just say "particularly US history"?

 

[Loob]

I mean "I would like to contribute significantly to the field of history, particularly to/in the field of US history."

Then, yes, I would probably use a comma.

(Gosh, that was tough!)