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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
how to clearly see it?
Sometimes I have difficulty clearly seeing the causal realtionship as to decide properly on the issue of whether to put a comma before the word 'so' or not. Help. I think the 1st sentence shows a clear causal relationship but not the second and the third sentences. Do you have some tips I can follow to develop an eye to see clearly?
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
3. His parents are rich, so he is happy.
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
3. His parents are rich, so he is happy.
Top answer
Believer Sometimes I have difficulty clearly seeing the causal realtionship as to decide properly on the issue of whether to put a comma before the word 'so' or not. Help. I think the 1st sentence shows a clear causal relationship but not the second and the third sentences.
- Believer Sometimes I have difficulty clearly seeing the causal realtionship as to decide properly on the issue of whether to put a comma before the word 'so' or not.
- Help.
- I think the 1st sentence shows a clear causal relationship but not the second and the third sentences.
- Do you have some tips I can follow to develop an eye to see clearly?
- 1.
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6 Answers
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BelieverSometimes I have difficulty clearly seeing the causal realtionship as to decide properly on the issue of whether to put a comma before the word 'so' or not. Help. I think the 1st sentence shows a clear causal relationship but not the second and the third sentences. Do you have some tips I can follow to develop an eye to see clearly?
1. He saved money
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In addition, I think that, whenever you can replace "so" with "in order to", then no comma.
If you can replace it with "that's why", then a comma.
If you can replace it with "that's why", then a comma.
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PieanneThat's where I was headed; I just hadn't thought "far enough". Thanks for the completion, Pieanne!
In addition, I think that, whenever you can replace "so" with "in order to", then no comma.
If you can replace it with "that's why", then a comma.
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Another way to look at it:
An action is done so (that) a goal will be reached.
(The action is done [with the intention of / for the purpose of] reaching the goal.)
A state of affairs exists, so this results (as the consequence of it).
(The result follows naturally; the state of affairs does not exist for the purpose of creating the result.)
An action is done so (that) a goal will be reached.
(The action is done [with the intention of / for the purpose of] reaching the goal.)
A state of affairs exists, so this results (as the consequence of it).
(The result follows naturally; the state of affairs does not exist for the purpose of creating the result.)
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Thank you.
Let me apply your way of thinking to the original sentences and please tell me if they make sense.
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
He saved money so (that) he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
His parents are poor, so (that???) he is sad. (Can we add the word "that" here? I
Let me apply your way of thinking to the original sentences and please tell me if they make sense.
1. He saved money so he can pay for his college education.
He saved money so (that) he can pay for his college education.
2. His parents are poor, so he is sad.
His parents are poor, so (that???) he is sad. (Can we add the word "that" here? I
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