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
1598 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
418 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins.
- 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM
529 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM*
- 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM
413 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence.
- 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
471 Views
- 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
471 Views
Mmm, yes he does.
- 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM
462 Views
Depends on the independent clauses.
- 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM
462 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't.
- 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM
501 Views
- 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM
501 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah.
- 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM
434 Views
Depending on the inflection used...
- 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM
452 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak.
- 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM
430 Views
- 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM
430 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon.
- 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM
432 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here.
- 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM
430 Views
but
- 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM
420 Views
I believe it's treated like one. The comma takes the place of the verb. *NM*
- 24/04/2010 03:23:38 PM
400 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak.
- 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM
456 Views
- 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM
456 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge.
- 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM
424 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend.
- 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM
437 Views
Jesus built my hotrod.
- 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM
457 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified...
- 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM
468 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia.
- 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM
475 Views
- 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM
475 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits.
- 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM
448 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids?
- 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM
438 Views
Of course not.
- 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM
478 Views
Apologies for the delay.
- 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM
386 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon.
- 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM
493 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it.
- 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM
374 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old
- 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM
379 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM
429 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM
439 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM
430 Views
It won't work, the only way to banish the Grammar Nazi is with Text Messages
- 23/04/2010 11:41:51 PM
458 Views
You get...300 exposition points, a scroll of open/close quotes, and a direct object. *NM*
- 24/04/2010 02:32:48 AM
435 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM*
- 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM
375 Views


*NM*