0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Conjunctive adverb: then
I frequently want to use the conjunctive adverb then as a coordinating conjunction, as you see in the sentence below. But I can't find anything in the grammar books that would allow such a thing. This structure seems common in speech. Why can't I use it in writing?
First they had to clear the way, then pull people out of the rubble.
It would appear that the sentence as written below would be correct, but it looks awful--partly because the second independent clause carries its subject over from the first independent clause.
First they had to clear the way; then, pull people out of the rubble.
What should I do here?
First they had to clear the way, then pull people out of the rubble.
It would appear that the sentence as written below would be correct, but it looks awful--partly because the second independent clause carries its subject over from the first independent clause.
First they had to clear the way; then, pull people out of the rubble.
What should I do here?
Top answer
' (even the comma is punctuationally inappropriate). This should serve for any informal setting. For careful punctuation, I suggest you recast to, for instance: 'First they had to clear the way; then they had to pull people out of the rubble'.
- ' (even the comma is punctuationally inappropriate).
- This should serve for any informal setting.
- For careful punctuation, I suggest you recast to, for instance: 'First they had to clear the way; then they had to pull people out of the rubble'.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
1 Answers
0
Go with the first: 'First they had to clear the way then pull people out of the
rubble.' (even the comma is punctuationally inappropriate). This should serve for any informal setting. For careful punctuation, I suggest you recast to, for instance: 'First they had to clear the way; then they had to pull people out of the
rubble'.
rubble.' (even the comma is punctuationally inappropriate). This should serve for any informal setting. For careful punctuation, I suggest you recast to, for instance: 'First they had to clear the way; then they had to pull people out of the
rubble'.
0
Related Questions