Suppose you have two independent clauses conjoined: "I like owlbears, and you like hobgoblins." The comma is necessary, of course.
But suppose the sentence were more like this: "Suppose I like owlbears(,) and you like hobgoblins."
Or this: "Suppose that I like owlbears(,) and you like hobgoblins."
Or this: "Suppose that I like owlbears(,) and that you like hobgoblins."
How would you evaluate the use or lack of a comma in those three sentences?
But suppose the sentence were more like this: "Suppose I like owlbears(,) and you like hobgoblins."
Or this: "Suppose that I like owlbears(,) and you like hobgoblins."
Or this: "Suppose that I like owlbears(,) and that you like hobgoblins."
How would you evaluate the use or lack of a comma in those three sentences?
But not the last example; it's too cumbersome for my taste. The way I'd like to believe I'd say it (but probably wouldn't) would be "Suppose that I like owlbears and you, hobgoblins. " Just to add to the comma confusion. When do we get to semicolons, by the way? Those are the coolest. *nods*
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
I cast Summon Grammar Nazi.
- 23/04/2010 02:24:27 AM
1576 Views
I think the first 2 are OK either way, but the third is wrong (essential clause). *NM*
- 23/04/2010 03:44:10 AM
409 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins.
- 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM
520 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM*
- 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM
405 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence.
- 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
462 Views
- 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
462 Views
Mmm, yes he does.
- 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM
452 Views
Depends on the independent clauses.
- 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM
449 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't.
- 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM
486 Views
- 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM
486 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah.
- 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM
423 Views
Depending on the inflection used...
- 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM
440 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak.
- 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM
422 Views
- 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM
422 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon.
- 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM
420 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here.
- 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM
422 Views
but
- 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM
410 Views
I believe it's treated like one. The comma takes the place of the verb. *NM*
- 24/04/2010 03:23:38 PM
388 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak.
- 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM
445 Views
- 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM
445 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge.
- 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM
409 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend.
- 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM
422 Views
Jesus built my hotrod.
- 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM
446 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified...
- 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM
460 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia.
- 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM
465 Views
- 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM
465 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits.
- 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM
437 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids?
- 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM
428 Views
Of course not.
- 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM
465 Views
Apologies for the delay.
- 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM
377 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon.
- 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM
483 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it.
- 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM
363 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old
- 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM
369 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM
421 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM
430 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM
421 Views
It won't work, the only way to banish the Grammar Nazi is with Text Messages
- 23/04/2010 11:41:51 PM
447 Views
You get...300 exposition points, a scroll of open/close quotes, and a direct object. *NM*
- 24/04/2010 02:32:48 AM
424 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM*
- 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM
362 Views


*NM*