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Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai Send a noteboard - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM
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."


Here I would say the subject is the implied "you", the verb "suppose", and the entire clause "I like owlbears and you like hobgoblins" is the object of the verb. Having said that, I do still think you need the comma between "owlbears" and "and", since they are still independent clauses, whatever function they are serving in the overall sentence.

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


Same as above only it reads slightly better, and I would actually have heard an implied "that" after suppose in the first sentence.

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


This is the only place where I do not think you need a comma, since "that you like hobgoblins" is no longer an independent clause. Then "that I like owlbears" and "that you like hobgoblins" form a list of things that you should suppose, and you wouldn't separate the items in a list of 2 with commas. In other words, you wouldn't say, "I like the colors green, and blue."

Although I wonder if for the sake of parallelism that 2nd "that" is implied as well, meaning you shouldn't use a comma for any of the 3 examples?


If you are from Betelgeuse, please have one of your Earth friends read what I've written before you respond. Or try concentrating harder.

"The trophy problem has become extreme."
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I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Burr - 23/04/2010 02:24:27 AM 1599 Views
I don't actually KNOW LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 02:46:24 AM 475 Views
She doesn't know; I didn't care Larry - 23/04/2010 03:22:42 AM 494 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 419 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins. Birdeye - 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM 530 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM 413 Views
How the heck did I read Summer Glau here? ironclad - 23/04/2010 07:57:06 AM 455 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM 472 Views
Except to do the opposite of what he intended it snoopcester - 23/04/2010 11:15:20 AM 471 Views
Mmm, yes he does. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM 463 Views
Depends on the independent clauses. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM 463 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM 501 Views
American English is crazy, yo. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 05:51:44 PM 459 Views
LOL Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:54:12 PM 447 Views
I agree with you. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:08:20 AM 422 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah. Joel - 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM 434 Views
Depending on the inflection used... Kaldric - 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM 452 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Joel - 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM 431 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon. LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM 432 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here. Burr - 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM 431 Views
but LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM 421 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 401 Views
Less words=more cumbersome now? Joel - 26/04/2010 07:37:41 AM 466 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Kaldric - 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM 457 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge. Joel - 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM 424 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM 438 Views
Jesus built my hotrod. Joel - 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM 458 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified... Kaldric - 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM 469 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. Joel - 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM 476 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits. Kaldric - 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM 449 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids? Joel - 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM 438 Views
Of course not. Kaldric - 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM 478 Views
Apologies for the delay. Joel - 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM 387 Views
You have GOT to be kidding *NM* ironclad - 18/10/2011 02:57:19 PM 373 Views
Nope. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:12:00 PM 385 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon. Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM 493 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM 375 Views
I'm no expert in message board etiquette... Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:57:03 PM 556 Views
I try to err on the side of caution. Joel - 18/10/2011 05:07:47 PM 352 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old Isaac - 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM 380 Views
Ah, I should have done that. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:45:09 PM 378 Views
Re: Ah, I should have done that. Isaac - 18/10/2011 10:47:13 PM 417 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM* Aeryn - 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM 430 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM* Tom - 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM 439 Views
maybe she's a collector? *NM* LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 05:24:51 PM 440 Views
Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM 476 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM 431 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 459 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 435 Views
you people are sick. LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:04:40 AM 445 Views
Who cast Summon Nekro? jh - 24/04/2010 04:14:33 PM 413 Views
*NM* Avendesora - 29/04/2010 07:00:00 PM 371 Views
You have successfully summoned People Making Fun of You. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:09:52 AM 387 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM* Tim - 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM 375 Views
I blame my recent return to Baldur's Gate via Tutu. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:46:46 PM 352 Views
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