If I wrote "Four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree, in order to hear a case." I would use a comma, right? and even if I switched both, I would use it still?
As it is no. If you switch you have a choice to set off the prepositional phrase or not and I wouldn't. With choice the sentence flows and sounds right without a pause.
In order to hear a case, four out of nine Supreme Court judges have to agree. Properly put the comma...I change my mind. It;s just clearer.
I think neither need a comma. To need a comma there must be two complete phrases.
The first two words 'in order' are essentially 'fluff/filler' that don't really mean anything, so let's try it without them to see what it looks like: (Now -that- sentence has only one comma but two -could- be acceptable -- I just happen to prefer the way it sounds without, and I like double-hyphens. )
'Four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree to hear a case.' and
'To hear a case four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree.' ...
...are -single- complete thoughts not separate-related thoughts.
Comments
"Four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree in order to hear a case." NO COMMAS needed.
But if you switch:
"In order to hear a case, four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree." You need a comma after "case".
"In order to hear a case" is an adverbial phrase of purpose. If you put it before the main clause, you have to put a comma after it.
Compare:
We went to a restaurant after the concert.
After the concert, we went to a restaurant.
"After the concert" is an adverbial phrase of time.
I hope this helps. Good luck.
As it is no. If you switch you have a choice to set off the prepositional phrase or not and I wouldn't. With choice the sentence flows and sounds right without a pause.
In order to hear a case, four out of nine Supreme Court judges have to agree. Properly put the comma...I change my mind. It;s just clearer.
I think neither need a comma. To need a comma there must be two complete phrases.
The first two words 'in order' are essentially 'fluff/filler' that don't really mean anything, so let's try it without them to see what it looks like: (Now -that- sentence has only one comma but two -could- be acceptable -- I just happen to prefer the way it sounds without, and I like double-hyphens.
)
'Four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree to hear a case.' and
'To hear a case four out of the nine Supreme Court judges have to agree.' ...
...are -single- complete thoughts not separate-related thoughts.
The first way I wouldn't use a comma, but if I flipped them I would. But I'm not an english professor or anything so I can't be sure.
no.... but if you switched it yes.