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Dmilton85 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Main clause then Sub clause then another main?

Hay,

I understand that when a main clause is followed by a subordinating clause there is no comma. I understand what if the sub clause comes first then there is a comma. But what do you do if you have a main claused followed by a sub followed by another main?

I.E.

I have tried to learn German from books and night classes, but found it very difficult so I am more or less brand new to learning the language.
  

Top answer

Dmilton85 what do you do if you have a main clause followed by a sub followed by another main? , I have tried to learn German from books and night classes, but found it very difficult so I am more or less brand new to learning the language. Your description and your example don't go together.

— CalifJim

  • Dmilton85 what do you do if you have a main clause followed by a sub followed by another main?
  • , I have tried to learn German from books and night classes, but found it very difficult so I am more or less brand new to learning the language.
  • Your description and your example don't go together.
  • You have a main clause with a compound predicate followed by another main clause.
  • You don't need any commas here unless you want one before so .
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5 Answers
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Dmilton85what do you do if you have a main clause followed by a sub followed by another main?
e.g.,
I have tried to learn German from books and night classes, but found it very difficult so I am more or less brand new to learning the language.
Your description and your example don't go together. You have a main clause with a compound predicate
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This is my spin to this sentence.

I have tried to learn German from books and night classes but found it very difficult; so I am more or less brand new to learning the language. Omit the comma before "but" and use a semicolon to suggest a continual thought.
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Hi D Milton

Here is another option. If you are using two main clauses you can go easy on the commas but use a colon or semi-colon to mark the main break in your thought. The colon is good if it means "so"..

- I have tried to learn German from books and night classes but found it very difficult: I am more or less brand new to learning the language.

Regards, Dave
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Hi,

I am not so convinced that a colon is a good option for this example.

A colon is typically used in context where multiple items need to be mentioned or listed, i.e. a recipe or part manefest.
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Hi

It's true that the colon is used to introduce lists

If it fits with a writer's style, it can also be used to separate two parts of a sentence that are related by logical consequence (where there might be words like: so, because or therefore)

But it was just a suggestion: no one has to do it!

Dave
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