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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 1368 Views
I don't actually KNOW LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 02:46:24 AM 375 Views
She doesn't know; I didn't care Larry - 23/04/2010 03:22:42 AM 394 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 310 Views
I like owlbears and you, like hobgoblins. Birdeye - 23/04/2010 03:59:31 AM 423 Views
I imagine someone speaking in a Tonto voice, with the sentence structured like that. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:07:39 AM 319 Views
How the heck did I read Summer Glau here? ironclad - 23/04/2010 07:57:06 AM 347 Views
Actually, you don't need the comma in your first sentence. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 08:37:42 AM 388 Views
Except to do the opposite of what he intended it snoopcester - 23/04/2010 11:15:20 AM 367 Views
Mmm, yes he does. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:38:06 PM 362 Views
Depends on the independent clauses. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 04:58:27 PM 354 Views
Not in American English, it doesn't. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:13:15 PM 391 Views
American English is crazy, yo. Rebekah - 23/04/2010 05:51:44 PM 356 Views
LOL Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 05:54:12 PM 338 Views
I agree with you. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:08:20 AM 317 Views
I actually like the "that" but I'm not Bekah. Joel - 23/04/2010 03:01:37 PM 333 Views
Depending on the inflection used... Kaldric - 23/04/2010 03:26:26 PM 341 Views
Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Joel - 23/04/2010 04:04:30 PM 329 Views
except that is an improper use of a semicolon. LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 04:24:00 PM 340 Views
If a comma is appropriate in the original supposition, then the semicolon is necessary here. Burr - 23/04/2010 11:24:20 PM 329 Views
but LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:03:22 AM 316 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 299 Views
Less words=more cumbersome now? Joel - 26/04/2010 07:37:41 AM 361 Views
Re: Fair point; so is knowing to whom you speak. Kaldric - 23/04/2010 06:33:58 PM 356 Views
Your pro-elf anti-hobgoblin prejudice has been obvious for some time, Marge. Joel - 28/04/2010 02:41:41 AM 308 Views
Hobgoblins killed my elf friend. Kaldric - 28/04/2010 01:40:22 PM 329 Views
Jesus built my hotrod. Joel - 04/05/2010 05:38:02 PM 356 Views
I think my friend was perfectly justified... Kaldric - 04/05/2010 06:40:05 PM 356 Views
So the truth comes out: Nothing more than interspecies homophobia. Joel - 04/05/2010 06:57:56 PM 369 Views
Dude. You know sisters are off limits. Kaldric - 05/05/2010 01:22:49 PM 349 Views
So, what, they're supposed to die old maids? Joel - 06/05/2010 02:57:46 PM 338 Views
Of course not. Kaldric - 07/05/2010 02:07:36 PM 362 Views
Apologies for the delay. Joel - 18/10/2011 02:48:00 PM 282 Views
You have GOT to be kidding *NM* ironclad - 18/10/2011 02:57:19 PM 264 Views
Nope. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:12:00 PM 289 Views
Necromancy is generally frowned upon. Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:00:05 PM 354 Views
I was unaware of your response until yesterday, and wanted to acknowledge it. Joel - 18/10/2011 03:14:12 PM 278 Views
I'm no expert in message board etiquette... Kaldric - 18/10/2011 03:57:03 PM 418 Views
I try to err on the side of caution. Joel - 18/10/2011 05:07:47 PM 255 Views
Dude, WTF! This thread is like a year and a half old Isaac - 18/10/2011 08:58:14 PM 272 Views
Ah, I should have done that. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:45:09 PM 282 Views
Re: Ah, I should have done that. Isaac - 18/10/2011 10:47:13 PM 288 Views
No need for commas in either of the lats 3 examples. *NM* Aeryn - 23/04/2010 03:02:38 PM 319 Views
You have Latvian lats? It's a sort of worthless currency for trading purposes. *NM* Tom - 23/04/2010 04:46:07 PM 344 Views
maybe she's a collector? *NM* LadyLorraine - 23/04/2010 05:24:51 PM 335 Views
Re: I cast Summon Grammar Nazi. Sareitha Sedai - 23/04/2010 03:45:31 PM 362 Views
I tap three mana and cast Cancel. *NM* Mats Gambling Buddy - 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 Isaac - 23/04/2010 11:41:51 PM 354 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 320 Views
you people are sick. LadyLorraine - 24/04/2010 03:04:40 AM 350 Views
Who cast Summon Nekro? jh - 24/04/2010 04:14:33 PM 300 Views
*NM* Avendesora - 29/04/2010 07:00:00 PM 267 Views
You have successfully summoned People Making Fun of You. *NM* TaskmasterJack - 06/05/2010 03:09:52 AM 280 Views
Apparently someone also cast Necromancy (Resurrect Deceased Thread). *NM* Tim - 18/10/2011 07:30:02 PM 256 Views
I blame my recent return to Baldur's Gate via Tutu. Joel - 18/10/2011 10:46:46 PM 254 Views
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