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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Commas separating independent clauses with implied subjects
Thanks in advance for your help. Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but I'm over thinking commas in compound sentences where the second clause has an implied subject.
Which is correct?
a) The doctor finished the shot, and removed the restraining wires.
or
b) The doctor finished the shot and removed the restraining wires.
c) The shapes refused to come together, and became lost in a numbing darkness
or
d) The shapes refused to come together and became lost in a numbing darkness
And what if we change the coordinating conjunction?
e) She could taste blood in her mouth, but could not feel the right side of her face.
or
f) She could taste blood in her mouth but could not feel the right side of her face.
Which is correct?
a) The doctor finished the shot, and removed the restraining wires.
or
b) The doctor finished the shot and removed the restraining wires.
c) The shapes refused to come together, and became lost in a numbing darkness
or
d) The shapes refused to come together and became lost in a numbing darkness
And what if we change the coordinating conjunction?
e) She could taste blood in her mouth, but could not feel the right side of her face.
or
f) She could taste blood in her mouth but could not feel the right side of her face.
Top answer
Of a&b, b is correct. The two actions take place within moments of each other and have the same subject. Gramatically, d and f are correct as well.
- Of a&b, b is correct.
- The two actions take place within moments of each other and have the same subject.
- Gramatically, d and f are correct as well.
- But if you were reading c&d out loud, you'd pause, I think, and so therefore a comma is acceptable.
- Likewise with e&f - if you are giving strictly a factual recitation of her condition, then do not use the comma.
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2 Answers
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Of a&b, b is correct. The two actions take place within moments of each other and have the same subject.
Gramatically, d and f are correct as well. But if you were reading c&d out loud, you'd pause, I think, and so therefore a comma is acceptable.
Likewise with e&f - if you are giving strictly a factual recitation of her condition, then do not use the comma. But if you want to
Gramatically, d and f are correct as well. But if you were reading c&d out loud, you'd pause, I think, and so therefore a comma is acceptable.
Likewise with e&f - if you are giving strictly a factual recitation of her condition, then do not use the comma. But if you want to
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Unfortunately, I posted this topic without realizing that I was not logged in. Since anonymous posts have to be moderator approved, I have two threads going on this question. See also:
The passage in question is part of a disjointed narrative from a character passing in and out of consciousness. AP style would remove the commas that separate the bold phrases,
The passage in question is part of a disjointed narrative from a character passing in and out of consciousness. AP style would remove the commas that separate the bold phrases,
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