Punctuation in “or in other words”
In a Math.SE question, I used the sentence:
“some two of these propositions are true and the third one is false”, or in other words, “exactly 2 of 3 propositions are true”
Here I used “or in other words” to rephrase a statement for better comprehension, but I didn’t use a comma after “or”. On the Net, I see people both using and omitting the comma in that phrase. What is the correct punctuation in the phrase “or in other words” and why?
punctuation commas
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
add a comment |
In a Math.SE question, I used the sentence:
“some two of these propositions are true and the third one is false”, or in other words, “exactly 2 of 3 propositions are true”
Here I used “or in other words” to rephrase a statement for better comprehension, but I didn’t use a comma after “or”. On the Net, I see people both using and omitting the comma in that phrase. What is the correct punctuation in the phrase “or in other words” and why?
punctuation commas
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
3
The most common form would be to just ditch the redundant word "or" and replace it with a full stop. In other words, I think you're asking the wrong question.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 8 '12 at 17:53
add a comment |
In a Math.SE question, I used the sentence:
“some two of these propositions are true and the third one is false”, or in other words, “exactly 2 of 3 propositions are true”
Here I used “or in other words” to rephrase a statement for better comprehension, but I didn’t use a comma after “or”. On the Net, I see people both using and omitting the comma in that phrase. What is the correct punctuation in the phrase “or in other words” and why?
punctuation commas
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
In a Math.SE question, I used the sentence:
“some two of these propositions are true and the third one is false”, or in other words, “exactly 2 of 3 propositions are true”
Here I used “or in other words” to rephrase a statement for better comprehension, but I didn’t use a comma after “or”. On the Net, I see people both using and omitting the comma in that phrase. What is the correct punctuation in the phrase “or in other words” and why?
punctuation commas
punctuation commas
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:22
Community♦
1
1
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
asked Aug 8 '12 at 17:42
Mirzhan Irkegulov
2422613
2422613
3
The most common form would be to just ditch the redundant word "or" and replace it with a full stop. In other words, I think you're asking the wrong question.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 8 '12 at 17:53
add a comment |
3
The most common form would be to just ditch the redundant word "or" and replace it with a full stop. In other words, I think you're asking the wrong question.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 8 '12 at 17:53
3
3
The most common form would be to just ditch the redundant word "or" and replace it with a full stop. In other words, I think you're asking the wrong question.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 8 '12 at 17:53
The most common form would be to just ditch the redundant word "or" and replace it with a full stop. In other words, I think you're asking the wrong question.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 8 '12 at 17:53
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
The comma after words needs to be complemented by one before in because in other words is an integral phrase interrupting the rest of the sentence.
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
add a comment |
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/ Retrieved on Mar 11, 2013. 11:02 am
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
add a comment |
'or in other words', is an integral expression therefore it's reasonable that the commas are placed before it and after it - 'something, or in other words, something else'.
It's true that for many this issue is a conundrum and we can find on the Net versions where there's a comma also after the 'or' - but when translating this into the language of formal logic, we can see it produces an inconsistency, breaks the logical flow.
It is also a widely used standard to simply divide the long sentence into two - 'something. In other words, something else', although in my opinion it is deprived of a certain oratorical charm it has when used in a long sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
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3 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The comma after words needs to be complemented by one before in because in other words is an integral phrase interrupting the rest of the sentence.
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
add a comment |
The comma after words needs to be complemented by one before in because in other words is an integral phrase interrupting the rest of the sentence.
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
add a comment |
The comma after words needs to be complemented by one before in because in other words is an integral phrase interrupting the rest of the sentence.
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
The comma after words needs to be complemented by one before in because in other words is an integral phrase interrupting the rest of the sentence.
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
answered Aug 8 '12 at 17:56
Barrie England
128k10202347
128k10202347
add a comment |
add a comment |
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/ Retrieved on Mar 11, 2013. 11:02 am
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
add a comment |
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/ Retrieved on Mar 11, 2013. 11:02 am
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
add a comment |
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/ Retrieved on Mar 11, 2013. 11:02 am
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).
Terrorism in the United States has become a recent concern; in fact, the concern for America's safety has led to an awareness of global terrorism.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/ Retrieved on Mar 11, 2013. 11:02 am
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
edited Mar 13 '13 at 11:21
tchrist♦
108k28290464
108k28290464
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
answered Mar 13 '13 at 9:02
mujgan
111
111
add a comment |
add a comment |
'or in other words', is an integral expression therefore it's reasonable that the commas are placed before it and after it - 'something, or in other words, something else'.
It's true that for many this issue is a conundrum and we can find on the Net versions where there's a comma also after the 'or' - but when translating this into the language of formal logic, we can see it produces an inconsistency, breaks the logical flow.
It is also a widely used standard to simply divide the long sentence into two - 'something. In other words, something else', although in my opinion it is deprived of a certain oratorical charm it has when used in a long sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
'or in other words', is an integral expression therefore it's reasonable that the commas are placed before it and after it - 'something, or in other words, something else'.
It's true that for many this issue is a conundrum and we can find on the Net versions where there's a comma also after the 'or' - but when translating this into the language of formal logic, we can see it produces an inconsistency, breaks the logical flow.
It is also a widely used standard to simply divide the long sentence into two - 'something. In other words, something else', although in my opinion it is deprived of a certain oratorical charm it has when used in a long sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
'or in other words', is an integral expression therefore it's reasonable that the commas are placed before it and after it - 'something, or in other words, something else'.
It's true that for many this issue is a conundrum and we can find on the Net versions where there's a comma also after the 'or' - but when translating this into the language of formal logic, we can see it produces an inconsistency, breaks the logical flow.
It is also a widely used standard to simply divide the long sentence into two - 'something. In other words, something else', although in my opinion it is deprived of a certain oratorical charm it has when used in a long sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
'or in other words', is an integral expression therefore it's reasonable that the commas are placed before it and after it - 'something, or in other words, something else'.
It's true that for many this issue is a conundrum and we can find on the Net versions where there's a comma also after the 'or' - but when translating this into the language of formal logic, we can see it produces an inconsistency, breaks the logical flow.
It is also a widely used standard to simply divide the long sentence into two - 'something. In other words, something else', although in my opinion it is deprived of a certain oratorical charm it has when used in a long sentence.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
answered 5 hours ago
Mayavin
11
11
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Mayavin is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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The most common form would be to just ditch the redundant word "or" and replace it with a full stop. In other words, I think you're asking the wrong question.
– FumbleFingers
Aug 8 '12 at 17:53