TheParser

You are very welcome. James

Hello, In my opinion, #3 should be: THE number of people [who are] missing IS possibly as high as one million. (That is, the NUMBER IS as high as million.) In my opinion, #4 should be: A number of people ARE missing, possibly as MANY as one million. (That is, As many as one million PEOPLE ARE missing.) James

Hello, Azitan: Great question! (1) One reason for the comma could possibly be that it is a long sentence, and the reader needs to rest after the word "offences." If you read it aloud, you will notice that you need to pause after "offenses." (2) Another (more grammatical reason) could possibly be that we are dealing here with a so-called compound sentence. That is, two independent sentences connected by "and." That is: He has been looking for work ever since he came out of prison for drink and drug-related offences. He is struggling to support his wife and child. The writer connected the two sentences with "and," and [the writer] decided not to repeat the word "he" [just as I decided not to repeat the words "the writer"]. James

Hello, Azitan: My dictionary tells me that "say" means to convey information. It then gives this sentence: The law says that such behavior is an offense. (The law cannot speak, either!) I think, therefore, that most native speakers would have no problem with "reports said." But if you are uncomfortable, then you could also say "reports indicated." James