0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Commas, "And", and Independent Clauses.
I'm sure that I'm missing something very simple, but I can't figure this out, and I would really appreciate some help.
I'm taught that in English you should only use a comma after "and" when that "and" is being used to join two independent clauses, but I often notice "and" being used differently in published fiction, and so I can't figure out what makes uses like the following correct:
"He gave Jim's shoulder a small brisk pat, and turned to gather up his instruments."
or
"Jim heard, and looked up."
or
"Jim flicked a scrap of paper at the porter's head, and dodged the frail blow aimed at him in return."
Could someone please explain why this use is correct?
I'm taught that in English you should only use a comma after "and" when that "and" is being used to join two independent clauses, but I often notice "and" being used differently in published fiction, and so I can't figure out what makes uses like the following correct:
"He gave Jim's shoulder a small brisk pat, and turned to gather up his instruments."
or
"Jim heard, and looked up."
or
"Jim flicked a scrap of paper at the porter's head, and dodged the frail blow aimed at him in return."
Could someone please explain why this use is correct?
Top answer
Anon : I'm taught that in English you should only use a comma after before "and" in independent clauses. Nowadays, people regard themselves as their own authority when it comes to punctuation, and so may omit the comma. I adhere to the use of a comma as per the 'rule' above: before any of the coordinating conjunctions for independent clauses.
- Anon : I'm taught that in English you should only use a comma after before "and" in independent clauses.
- Nowadays, people regard themselves as their own authority when it comes to punctuation, and so may omit the comma.
- I adhere to the use of a comma as per the 'rule' above: before any of the coordinating conjunctions for independent clauses.
- However, look carefully at your sentences: are they independent?
- Where is the subject of the 'independent' clause in each?
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
3 Answers
0
Anon: I'm taught that in English you should only use a comma after before "and" in independent clauses.
Nowadays, people regard themselves as their own authority when it comes to punctuation, and so may omit the comma.
I adhere to the use of a comma as per the 'rule' above: before any
Nowadays, people regard themselves as their own authority when it comes to punctuation, and so may omit the comma.
I adhere to the use of a comma as per the 'rule' above: before any
00
Your examples are not independent clauses. You cannot replace the and with a period. They are sentences with a complex predicate, like a series of verbs in this example:.
Jim heard, looked up, blinked, rubbed his eyes, and spoke.
You remembered the rule incorrectly. A comma is used before the conjunctions (and, but, or, etc.)
Jim heard, looked up, blinked, rubbed his eyes, and spoke.
You remembered the rule incorrectly. A comma is used before the conjunctions (and, but, or, etc.)
00
This is the question poster. Sorry, the before/after was a typo. I know it should come before, and that was not what I was confused about.
Thank you, AlpheccaStars! Your explanation (complex predicates) has cleared up my confusion.
Thank you, AlpheccaStars! Your explanation (complex predicates) has cleared up my confusion.
0
Related Questions