Is the phrase used here restrictive or non-restrictive?

[Kaitlyn Canedy]

Hi all,

I am really confused about the comma usage in the following sentences. Which is correct and why? I think the first one is correct, but I am unsure. Credible academic writing sources to support your response are very highly encouraged. Thank you!

"No one thought that, after playing the baseball game, he would be so tired."

"No one thought that after playing the baseball game, he would be so tired."

[MsH2k]

Hi,

The ultimate credible writing source to support the correct usage would be the writer of the sentence. It depends on their intent. I think the second sentence is correct because it seems as if “that” and everything that follows is the direct object of the sentence, so the first comma is not needed. The second comma is correct after the prepositional phrase. Including the first comma would imply that “after playing the baseball game” is nonessential, but it seems that it is: he is so tired because he played the baseball game.
Another option would be to move the prepositional phrase to the end:
“No one thought he would be so tired after playing the baseball game.”

Depending on the writer’s intent, these references can support either case. https://www.englishgrammar101.com/modul ... al-phrases
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html

[Kaitlyn Canedy]

Hi,

The ultimate credible writing source to support the correct usage would be the writer of the sentence. It depends on their intent. I think the second sentence is correct because it seems as if “that” and everything that follows is the direct object of the sentence, so the first comma is not needed. The second comma is correct after the prepositional phrase. Including the first comma would imply that “after playing the baseball game” is nonessential, but it seems that it is: he is so tired because he played the baseball game.
Another option would be to move the prepositional phrase to the end:
“No one thought he would be so tired after playing the baseball game.”

Depending on the writer’s intent, these references can support either case. https://www.englishgrammar101.com/modul ... al-phrases
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html

Thank you so much! This explanation makes a lot of sense. The first source was very helpful for determining which of these sentences is correct.

[MsH2k]

Hi,

The ultimate credible writing source to support the correct usage would be the writer of the sentence. It depends on their intent. I think the second sentence is correct because it seems as if “that” and everything that follows is the direct object of the sentence, so the first comma is not needed. The second comma is correct after the prepositional phrase. Including the first comma would imply that “after playing the baseball game” is nonessential, but it seems that it is: he is so tired because he played the baseball game.
Another option would be to move the prepositional phrase to the end:
“No one thought he would be so tired after playing the baseball game.”

Depending on the writer’s intent, these references can support either case. https://www.englishgrammar101.com/modul ... al-phrases
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html

Thank you so much! This explanation makes a lot of sense. The first source was very helpful for determining which of these sentences is correct.

You're very welcome! I'm glad it helped.

[Rakesh+12345]

Second one is the correct.

[Tobi Adefila]

I feel the second sentence is correct.