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Eddie88 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Experts, comma question regarding 'so'
Hi, here is a question which I believe will raise various answers as it may be slightly subjective.
How to punctuate the word 'so' provides varying answers from webistes.
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A few websites believe this:
A few websites believe this:
However, others believe that 'so' requires a comma when joining two independent clauses but when it is a subordinating conjunction (so that), it doesn't require a comma.
Also, some websites say that if so begins a sentence, it requires a comma when it means 'therefore' as it is a transitional expression. Would this not mean that a comma is not strong enough to join two independent clauses when 'so' means 'therefore.'
I walked home, so I was tired.
So means therefore in this case and, therefore, is a transitional expression and should be punctuated as such:
I walked home; so I was tired
Some say a comma is necessary after the 'so' = I walked home; so, I was tired.
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How do you guys and girls punctuate so? Would you agree it is a matter of personal opinion?
Thanks.
How to punctuate the word 'so' provides varying answers from webistes.
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A few websites believe this:
So is a coordinating conjunction when its meaning is during the time NOT as a result.- The owl paddled, so the monkey slept.
So is a subordinating conjunction when its meaning is in order that, with the purpose that. (It is usually followed by that.)- The owl paddled, so that the monkey might sleep.
So is a conjunctive adverb when its meaning is therefore.- The owl paddled; so it made sense for the monkey to sleep.
A few websites believe this:
However, others believe that 'so' requires a comma when joining two independent clauses but when it is a subordinating conjunction (so that), it doesn't require a comma.
Also, some websites say that if so begins a sentence, it requires a comma when it means 'therefore' as it is a transitional expression. Would this not mean that a comma is not strong enough to join two independent clauses when 'so' means 'therefore.'
I walked home, so I was tired.
So means therefore in this case and, therefore, is a transitional expression and should be punctuated as such:
I walked home; so I was tired
Some say a comma is necessary after the 'so' = I walked home; so, I was tired.
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How do you guys and girls punctuate so? Would you agree it is a matter of personal opinion?
Thanks.
Top answer
Right or wrong, this is my intuitive take on it. As I said earlier, punctuation isn't my forte. The owl paddled, so the monkey slept.
- Right or wrong, this is my intuitive take on it.
- As I said earlier, punctuation isn't my forte.
- The owl paddled, so the monkey slept.
- The owl paddled so that the monkey might sleep.
- The owl paddled, so it made sense for the monkey to sleep.
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2 Answers
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Right or wrong, this is my intuitive take on it. As I said earlier, punctuation isn't my forte.
The owl paddled, so the monkey slept.
The owl paddled so that the monkey might sleep.
The owl paddled, so it made sense for the monkey to sleep.
CJ
The owl paddled, so the monkey slept.
The owl paddled so that the monkey might sleep.
The owl paddled, so it made sense for the monkey to sleep.
CJ
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Hi, CJ,
that is how I, too, punctuate it.
I don't know why a few websites say that a comma should be used before the subrdinating conjunction 'so that'- to me, this is just wrong.
However, I definitly see the argument that a semicolon should be used instead of a comma when 'so' means 'therefore.' After all, it is a transitional expression, in this case, and should be pu
that is how I, too, punctuate it.
I don't know why a few websites say that a comma should be used before the subrdinating conjunction 'so that'- to me, this is just wrong.
However, I definitly see the argument that a semicolon should be used instead of a comma when 'so' means 'therefore.' After all, it is a transitional expression, in this case, and should be pu
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