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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 1447 Views
I don't actually KNOW LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 02:46:24 AM 407 Views
She doesn't know; I didn't care Larry - 23/04/2010 03:22:42 AM 422 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 349 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins. Birdeye - 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM 455 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM 349 Views
How the heck did I read Summer Glau here? ironclad - 23/04/2010 07:57:06 AM 381 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM 410 Views
Except to do the opposite of what he intended it snoopcester - 23/04/2010 11:15:20 AM 398 Views
Mmm, yes he does. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM 395 Views
Depends on the independent clauses. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM 386 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM 411 Views
American English is crazy, yo. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 05:51:44 PM 386 Views
LOL Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:54:12 PM 371 Views
I agree with you. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:08:20 AM 347 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah. Joel - 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM 366 Views
Depending on the inflection used... Kaldric - 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM 374 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Joel - 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM 366 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon. LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM 363 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here. Burr - 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM 361 Views
but LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM 349 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 331 Views
Less words=more cumbersome now? Joel - 26/04/2010 07:37:41 AM 396 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Kaldric - 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM 387 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge. Joel - 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM 340 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM 360 Views
Jesus built my hotrod. Joel - 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM 387 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified... Kaldric - 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM 399 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. Joel - 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM 407 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits. Kaldric - 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM 380 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids? Joel - 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM 372 Views
Of course not. Kaldric - 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM 405 Views
Apologies for the delay. Joel - 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM 319 Views
You have GOT to be kidding *NM* ironclad - 18/10/2011 02:57:19 PM 297 Views
Nope. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:12:00 PM 320 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon. Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM 401 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM 308 Views
I'm no expert in message board etiquette... Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:57:03 PM 461 Views
I try to err on the side of caution. Joel - 18/10/2011 05:07:47 PM 284 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old Isaac - 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM 301 Views
Ah, I should have done that. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:45:09 PM 312 Views
Re: Ah, I should have done that. Isaac - 18/10/2011 10:47:13 PM 316 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM* Aeryn - 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM 355 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM* Tom - 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM 367 Views
maybe she's a collector? *NM* LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 05:24:51 PM 367 Views
Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM 394 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM 361 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 393 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 355 Views
you people are sick. LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:04:40 AM 379 Views
Who cast Summon Nekro? jh - 24/04/2010 04:14:33 PM 334 Views
*NM* Avendesora - 29/04/2010 07:00:00 PM 298 Views
You have successfully summoned People Making Fun of You. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:09:52 AM 317 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM* Tim - 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM 291 Views
I blame my recent return to Baldur's Gate via Tutu. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:46:46 PM 276 Views
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