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Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah Send a noteboard - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
Suppose you have two independent clauses conjoined: "I like owlbears, and you like hobgoblins." The comma is necessary, of course.

No. The "and" does the joining bit for you. You can have the comma if it's going to be said with a pause. Doesn't need to be there, though.


Or this: "Suppose that I like owlbears(,) and you like hobgoblins."

Or this: "Suppose that I like owlbears(,) and that you like hobgoblins."

"That" sounds yucky (technical term) in there. Not wrong, just ick. :P

How would you evaluate the use or lack of a comma in those three sentences?

The comma is optional in all of your examples. It depends on whether you want to add a pause in thought/speech or not.
*MySmiley*

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
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I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Burr - 23/04/2010 02:24:27 AM 1492 Views
I don't actually KNOW LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 02:46:24 AM 427 Views
She doesn't know; I didn't care Larry - 23/04/2010 03:22:42 AM 443 Views
I think the first 2 are OK either way, but the third is wrong (essential clause). *NM* BlackAdder - 23/04/2010 03:44:10 AM 369 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins. Birdeye - 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM 477 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM 368 Views
How the heck did I read Summer Glau here? ironclad - 23/04/2010 07:57:06 AM 400 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM 428 Views
Except to do the opposite of what he intended it snoopcester - 23/04/2010 11:15:20 AM 420 Views
Mmm, yes he does. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM 414 Views
Depends on the independent clauses. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM 409 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM 440 Views
American English is crazy, yo. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 05:51:44 PM 408 Views
LOL Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:54:12 PM 391 Views
I agree with you. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:08:20 AM 370 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah. Joel - 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM 385 Views
Depending on the inflection used... Kaldric - 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM 397 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Joel - 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM 387 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon. LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM 383 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here. Burr - 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM 382 Views
but LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM 367 Views
I believe it's treated like one. The comma takes the place of the verb. *NM* Burr - 24/04/2010 03:23:38 PM 353 Views
Less words=more cumbersome now? Joel - 26/04/2010 07:37:41 AM 416 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Kaldric - 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM 409 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge. Joel - 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM 361 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM 381 Views
Jesus built my hotrod. Joel - 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM 406 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified... Kaldric - 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM 419 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. Joel - 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM 427 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits. Kaldric - 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM 401 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids? Joel - 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM 391 Views
Of course not. Kaldric - 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM 427 Views
Apologies for the delay. Joel - 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM 342 Views
You have GOT to be kidding *NM* ironclad - 18/10/2011 02:57:19 PM 320 Views
Nope. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:12:00 PM 340 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon. Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM 431 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM 326 Views
I'm no expert in message board etiquette... Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:57:03 PM 494 Views
I try to err on the side of caution. Joel - 18/10/2011 05:07:47 PM 305 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old Isaac - 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM 325 Views
Ah, I should have done that. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:45:09 PM 331 Views
Re: Ah, I should have done that. Isaac - 18/10/2011 10:47:13 PM 341 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM* Aeryn - 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM 376 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM* Tom - 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM 386 Views
maybe she's a collector? *NM* LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 05:24:51 PM 386 Views
Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM 417 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM 380 Views
It won't work, the only way to banish the Grammar Nazi is with Text Messages Isaac - 23/04/2010 11:41:51 PM 413 Views
You get...300 exposition points, a scroll of open/close quotes, and a direct object. *NM* Burr - 24/04/2010 02:32:48 AM 376 Views
you people are sick. LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:04:40 AM 398 Views
Who cast Summon Nekro? jh - 24/04/2010 04:14:33 PM 357 Views
*NM* Avendesora - 29/04/2010 07:00:00 PM 318 Views
You have successfully summoned People Making Fun of You. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:09:52 AM 337 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM* Tim - 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM 325 Views
I blame my recent return to Baldur's Gate via Tutu. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:46:46 PM 301 Views
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