I'm sorry for asking another comma question

[scully931]

“Oh, twenty three,” he said waving his hand nonchalantly.

And... to defend myself in advance... I know I could reword the sentence and the sentence may be awful/making your eyes bleed/the worst thing you've ever read. But, as is, can you please tell me if I should have a comma after said or hand? :D

Thank you! :e2flowers

[Seaclusion]

I would not, but then I've never waved my hand nonchalantly. Although, I would put in 'while' where the comma in question would go.

Richard

[alleycat]

I would put a comma after "said". You don't need or want one after "hand".

[Maryn]

Yes, a comma after said. No comma after hand.

Would you like to know why? Learning the rule might be worthwhile if you feel you're asking too many comma questions.

Maryn, former teacher

[qwerty]

after said.

Think of it as if you were speaking aloud, with a pause after said.

Or just tell yourself he isn't saying "waving his hand nonchalantly"

Edit: Sorry, maryn, simulpost. Yes, I'd like to know the rule. Above is just my way of handling it.

[Bufty]

It's not that bad, scully. :Hug2:

“Oh, twenty three,” he said, nonchalantly waving his hand.

[FennelGiraffe]

Yes, comma after said, none after hand.

[veronie]

Also, twenty-three.

[scully931]

Thank you all for answering! Yep, I actually would like to learn the rule. I do look up comma rules and have many of them down. I should find a good comma page and bookmark it. I always feel the rules don't apply to the sentence I'm looking at. :D