Phrase usage

Question

I am wanting to use this phrase "When in reality" How can I use it? example:

You said you couldn't order the pizza, when in reality, you ordered it two days ago. OR
You said you couldn't order the pizza. When in reality, you ordered it two days ago.

Thanks!!!

Miriam · Accepted Answer

Hi, Guest

Your first sentence is ok. I'd put the commas in different places, but I don't think that's a problem or that you really have to change them. This is how I would write the sentence:

"You said you couldn't order the pizza when, in reality, you ordered it two days ago."

I've used the commas to separate "in reality" from the rest of the sentence because "in reality" is a sort of comment made by the speaker that does not add much to the meaning of the sentence.

Your second sentence is not right. "When in reality you ordered it two days ago" is a dependent clause, so it cannot stand on its own as a sentence. It must depend on a main clause and, in this case, the main clause is what you separated as the first sentence. The whole thing should be only one sentence.

Hope it helps.

Miriam

Phrase usage

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