Are the following sentences punctuated correctly?
The patient’s mother, despite multiple attempts, was unable to be reached.
His unusual contradictory explanation requires a psychiatric workup.
Before we begin surgery he needs to be seen by the anesthesia service.
Sentence one is awkward, but correctly punctuated.
Sentences two and three are incorrect.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
See #s 3 and 5.
Yes, the sentences are punctuated correctly.
1. "The patient’s mother, despite multiple attempts, was unable to be reached."
Explanation:
- The sentence begins with an introductory phrase, "The patient's mother," which is followed by a comma.
- The main clause follows, "was unable to be reached," without any need for additional punctuation.
- The phrase "despite multiple attempts" is enclosed by commas because it provides extra information about the patient's mother.
- There is a period at the end of the sentence to indicate the end of the sentence.
2. "His unusual contradictory explanation requires a psychiatric workup."
Explanation:
- The sentence begins with "His unusual contradictory explanation," followed by a comma.
- The main clause follows, "requires a psychiatric workup," without any need for additional punctuation.
- There is a period at the end of the sentence to indicate the end of the sentence.
3. "Before we begin surgery he needs to be seen by the anesthesia service."
Explanation:
- The sentence begins with an introductory phrase, "Before we begin surgery," which is followed by a comma.
- The main clause follows, "he needs to be seen by the anesthesia service," without any need for additional punctuation.
- There is a period at the end of the sentence to indicate the end of the sentence.