Does this sentence need a comma after the word gun or not?
These weapons are, in some cases, shaped as a gun(comma or not) but instead of firing bulles, discharge an electric current.
Also,should it be
These weapons are, in some cases, shaped as guns (plural or not or is it ok as is?)
This sentence would read better this way.
These weapons are, in some cases, shaped like a gun (comma) but instead of firing bulles, they discharge an electric current.
This way you have a compound sentence, and in a comparison "like" is preferable to "as".
Plural use of "guns" would be better.
=)
Hi,
I understand but since weapons is plural, shouldn't guns also be plural?
These weapons are, in some cases, shaped like guns, but instead of firing bullets, they discharge an electrical current.
That would be correct....Weapons are shaped like guns.... if they have different gun shapes... If all the weapons have the same gun shape, then it would be correct to use " they are shaped like a gun."
Yes, the sentence should have a comma after the word "gun."
To decide whether to use a comma or not, we need to determine if the phrase "in some cases" is essential or non-essential to the sentence.
1. If the phrase is essential and the meaning of the sentence would change without it, then no comma should be used. Example: "These weapons are shaped as a gun but instead of firing bullets, they discharge an electric current." In this case, removing the phrase "in some cases" would alter the meaning of the sentence.
2. If the phrase is non-essential and provides additional information but is not necessary for the sentence's basic meaning, then commas should be used to set it off. Example: "These weapons are, in some cases, shaped as a gun but instead of firing bullets, they discharge an electric current." In this case, removing the phrase "in some cases" would not fundamentally change the sentence's meaning.
Regarding the second part of your question, it should be "These weapons are, in some cases, shaped as guns." Since "weapons" is plural, it should be followed by the plural form of "gun," which is "guns."