comma splice or not [apposition]: shows what man has become, a race

Fallingyuki

Senior Member
english
Here is an essay I just read from a poetry journal, there is a point where the writer uses a comma but I thought this was a comma splice, just refreshing my memory.

"In three words Minhinnick metaphorically shows what man has become, a race of people who are now content with the safety and security of the same four walls of the same nameless pub."

I believe that it should be a semicolon and not a comma, just a little fun to get one over on the pro's. :)
 
  • I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do here, but a semicolon separates two independent clauses. An independent clause requires a subject and a verb - a combination that does not exist following the comma in your sample.

    I also note the misuse of the apostrophe in "pro's."
     
    thank you for your wisdom

    P.S i was a little unsure about that apostrophe in pros!
     
    Last edited:
    The whole part after the comma is a noun phrase in apposition to the noun phrase 'what man has become'. It's like 'my dog, Fido'.
     
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