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?
||||||||||*MySmiley*
Only so evil.
Only so evil.
I cast Summon Grammar Nazi.
- 23/04/2010 02:24:27 AM
1369 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
311 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins.
- 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM
424 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM*
- 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM
319 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. 
- 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
389 Views
- 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM
389 Views
Mmm, yes he does.
- 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM
362 Views
Depends on the independent clauses.
- 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM
355 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. 
- 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM
391 Views
- 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM
391 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah.
- 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM
333 Views
Depending on the inflection used...
- 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM
341 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak.
- 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM
330 Views
- 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM
330 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon.
- 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM
340 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here.
- 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM
330 Views
but
- 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM
317 Views
I believe it's treated like one. The comma takes the place of the verb. *NM*
- 24/04/2010 03:23:38 PM
299 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak.
- 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM
356 Views
- 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM
356 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge.
- 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM
309 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend.
- 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM
329 Views
Jesus built my hotrod.
- 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM
357 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified...
- 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM
357 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. 
- 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM
370 Views
- 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM
370 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits.
- 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM
349 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids?
- 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM
339 Views
Of course not.
- 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM
362 Views
Apologies for the delay.
- 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM
282 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon.
- 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM
354 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it.
- 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM
278 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old
- 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM
273 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM
320 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM
345 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM*
- 23/04/2010 05:26:17 PM
332 Views
It won't work, the only way to banish the Grammar Nazi is with Text Messages
- 23/04/2010 11:41:51 PM
355 Views
You get...300 exposition points, a scroll of open/close quotes, and a direct object. *NM*
- 24/04/2010 02:32:48 AM
320 Views
*NM*
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM*
- 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM
256 Views