English Toolkit

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15.4Parenthetical phrases
TYPICAL ERROR By the year 2100 so I have heard sea levels are likely to have risen at least a metre.
CORRECTION By the year 2100, so I have heard, sea levels are likely to have risen at least a metre.

EXPLANATION A parenthetical phrase is one such as so I have heard, which is not really part of the sentence into which it has been inserted and which could be left out. It is a comment that is outside or alongside (para-) the main idea (-thesis) of the sentence. As such, it should be marked off from the rest of the sentence by commas, brackets or dashes - depending on how dramatically the parenthetical idea interrupts the flow of the main sentence.

Place commas before and after the parenthetical phrase in each of the following sentences.
a
He is believe it or not my elder brother.

b
They made an attempt so they said to break the record.

c
It has been suggested quite rightly in my opinion that the opening should go ahead.

d
In his latest book his critics are quick to point out he has changed his ideas entirely.

e
It would be best she suggested to avoid seeing them again.

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