Quick Comma Question Forum

[amissionsix]

Quick comma related question. The part in question is bold. Should this sentence be either:

1) When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused, yet open mind, and plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

2) When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused, yet open, mind and plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

3) When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused, yet open, mind, and plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

I'm thinking # 1, but someone who edited my statement recommended # 2. Thanks!

[plenipotentiary]

4. Two sentences. Use "but" instead of "yet."

When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused but open mind. I plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

[homestyle28]

Quick comma related question. The part in question is bold. Should this sentence be either:

1) When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused, yet open mind, and plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

2) When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused, yet open, mind and plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

3) When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused, yet open, mind, and plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact.

I'm thinking # 1, but someone who edited my statement recommended # 2. Thanks!

Commas are slippery things. I vote #2. You are trying to say that your mind will be both focused and open, #2 does that. #1 suggests you'll have a focused plan and an open mind. #3 is just wrong.

4. Two sentences. Use "but" instead of "yet."

I don't think you should oppose focus to open-mindedness:

"When I begin studying next fall, I will approach law school with a focused and open mind. I plan to fully involve myself with one or more student organizations where I hope to once again make a lasting impact."

[AP-375]

I choose #4: "with a focused yet open mind, and plan..."
Since "yet" is a conjunction, I don't really think you need a comma or three here.

[plenipotentiary]

I don't think you should oppose focus to open-mindedness

Good point! I like "and" better, too.