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Position of “without doubt” in a Sentence I’d like to ask about the position of the phrase “without doubt” in a sentence. I believe the first two sentences are correct, aren’t they? As for the third one, I’m not so sure if the “end” position would be possible for this phrase. Can the comma(s) be left out in each sentence? 1) Susanna is, without doubt, the most benevolent guy I’ve ever met. 2) Without doubt, Susanna is the most benevolent guy I’ve ever met. 3) Susanna is the most benevolent guy I’ve ever met, without doubt. Thank you in advance!
Jul 13, 2015 8:47 PM
Answers · 6
2
All three are fine. The different positions suggest slightly different degree of importance to the idea. In #3, it's as if you've finished the thought and then want to make it stronger, like putting an exclamation point on the sentence. It's a "afterthought." It's completely natural and correct. Similarly, you could say "Susanna is the most benevolent guy I've ever met, absolutely." "Susanna is the most benevolent guy I've ever met, for sure." However... there are problems with your choice of the words "benevolent" and "guy!" 1) I'm assuming here that "Susanna" is a woman's name. That's 99% certain. I've never heard it used for a man. We do use "guys" informally for a group of men and women, or even a group of women. And we do use "guy" to mean some hypothetical person of unknown gender. "Do you know a guy who knows how to do taxes?" But we do not use it for one specific named person if that person is a woman. 2) The combination of "benevolent" and "guy" sounds VERY strange! "Benevolent" is a formal, dignified word. "Confucius was benevolent." "The grandfather gave a benevolent smile to his grandson." "Guy" is informal. It isn't slang, but it's informal. You use it when speaking, in ordinary life. The two words just don't go together. So, I think I would change "benevolent" to "nice" or "kind" or "considerate." I think I would change "guy" to "person." All of these are fine: 1) Susanna is, without doubt, the kindest person I’ve ever met. 2) Without doubt, Susanna is the kindest person I’ve ever met. 3) Susanna is the kindest person I’ve ever met, without doubt.
July 13, 2015
1
They are all okay. In the final one, it is as if you are adding the without doubt as a slight afterthought - you have made your statement, then, just to be emphasize it, you add the 'without doubt'. If you were writing,you would most likely put that phrase at the beginning. I think the punctuation is fine too. BTW, do you realise that Susanna is a female name, so the use of 'guy' here is not appropriate?
July 13, 2015
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