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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 1553 Views
I don't actually KNOW LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 02:46:24 AM 451 Views
She doesn't know; I didn't care Larry - 23/04/2010 03:22:42 AM 471 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 394 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins. Birdeye - 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM 503 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM 389 Views
How the heck did I read Summer Glau here? ironclad - 23/04/2010 07:57:06 AM 430 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM 452 Views
Except to do the opposite of what he intended it snoopcester - 23/04/2010 11:15:20 AM 449 Views
Mmm, yes he does. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM 442 Views
Depends on the independent clauses. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM 433 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM 469 Views
American English is crazy, yo. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 05:51:44 PM 432 Views
LOL Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:54:12 PM 420 Views
I agree with you. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:08:20 AM 395 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah. Joel - 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM 410 Views
Depending on the inflection used... Kaldric - 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM 425 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Joel - 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM 410 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon. LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM 409 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here. Burr - 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM 410 Views
but LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM 395 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 374 Views
Less words=more cumbersome now? Joel - 26/04/2010 07:37:41 AM 440 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Kaldric - 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM 434 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge. Joel - 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM 389 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM 404 Views
Jesus built my hotrod. Joel - 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM 429 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified... Kaldric - 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM 448 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. Joel - 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM 453 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits. Kaldric - 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM 426 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids? Joel - 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM 414 Views
Of course not. Kaldric - 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM 453 Views
Apologies for the delay. Joel - 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM 365 Views
You have GOT to be kidding *NM* ironclad - 18/10/2011 02:57:19 PM 346 Views
Nope. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:12:00 PM 362 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon. Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM 464 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM 351 Views
I'm no expert in message board etiquette... Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:57:03 PM 526 Views
I try to err on the side of caution. Joel - 18/10/2011 05:07:47 PM 328 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old Isaac - 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM 352 Views
Ah, I should have done that. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:45:09 PM 354 Views
Re: Ah, I should have done that. Isaac - 18/10/2011 10:47:13 PM 370 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM* Aeryn - 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM 404 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM* Tom - 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM 415 Views
maybe she's a collector? *NM* LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 05:24:51 PM 411 Views
Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM 442 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM 411 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 437 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 404 Views
you people are sick. LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:04:40 AM 422 Views
Who cast Summon Nekro? jh - 24/04/2010 04:14:33 PM 386 Views
*NM* Avendesora - 29/04/2010 07:00:00 PM 345 Views
You have successfully summoned People Making Fun of You. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:09:52 AM 364 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM* Tim - 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM 348 Views
I blame my recent return to Baldur's Gate via Tutu. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:46:46 PM 327 Views
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