Expert: Jannie Balliett - 2/20/2012

Question
Hi

hope you are fine! Which of the following sentences is correct? Should I write "as other novelists have already done" between commas OR dashes? Please explain your reasons.

a) "I owe Oscar Wilde a lot. His 'An Ideal Husband' has taught me what real love means. And I'm also happy that Wilde has helped me--as other novelists have already done-- to enhance my understanding of life."

b) "I owe Oscar Wilde a lot. His 'An Ideal Husband' has taught me what real love means. And I'm also happy that Wilde has helped me, as other novelists have already done, to enhance my understanding of life."

Thanks a lot.
Best

Answer
a) "I owe Oscar Wilde a lot. His 'An Ideal Husband' has taught me what real love means. And (comma here) I'm also happy that Wilde has helped me-- (No dashes, use semi-colon) as other novelists have already done-- (No dashes, no comma; nothing here) to enhance my understanding of life."

b) "I owe Oscar Wilde a lot. His 'An Ideal Husband' has taught me what real love means. And I'm also happy that Wilde has helped me, (no comma) as other novelists have already done, (no comma)  to enhance my understanding of life."