Do you think there needs to be a comma in this sentence or is the 2nd one correct?
1a. Students, who study hard, should do well on the test.
2a. Students who study hard should do well on the test.
Or the more I read it the more the first one sounds better!
No, 2a is the correct answer. If you say 1a, you assume all students study hard.
This is rarely the case
OK, I can understand that, but it sure doesn't look right. I really appreciate your help tonight.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
DrWLS is correct -- it's 2a.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Read #4.
Both of the sentences can be considered grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings.
1a. "Students, who study hard, should do well on the test." - In this sentence, the use of commas around "who study hard" suggests that all students should do well on the test because they all study hard. The clause "who study hard" is a non-essential or non-restrictive clause, providing additional information about the students.
2a. "Students who study hard should do well on the test." - In this sentence, there are no commas around "who study hard," indicating that it is an essential or restrictive clause. This means that only those students who study hard are expected to do well on the test.
The choice between using a comma or not depends on the intended meaning. If you want to emphasize that all the students study hard and should do well on the test, then the first sentence (1a) is more suitable. If you want to imply that only those students who study hard should do well on the test, then the second sentence (2a) would be the better option.
Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to include a comma is a matter of style and personal preference. However, it's important to be consistent in your usage within your writing.