I'm sorry for asking another comma question

scully931 · Sep 14, 2008

“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?

Thank you! :e2flowers

Seaclusion2 · Sep 14, 2008

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 · Sep 14, 2008

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

Maryn · Sep 14, 2008

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 · Sep 14, 2008

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 · Sep 14, 2008

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

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

FennelGiraffe · Sep 14, 2008

Yes, comma after said, none after hand.

veronie · Sep 14, 2008

Also, twenty-three.

scully931 · Sep 14, 2008

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.

I'm sorry for asking another comma question

scully931

So you're suggesting what? Bigfoot?

Seaclusion2

Extraneous Comma Slayer

alleycat

Still around

Maryn

I Tried

qwerty

exiled Brit

Bufty

Where have the last ten years gone?

FennelGiraffe

It's green they say

veronie

practical experience, FTW

scully931

So you're suggesting what? Bigfoot?