Necessity of subject after a comma

Question

Is the below sentence correct gramatically? (I mean from the aspect of formal English grammar)

"Washington settled for a resolution that condemned the missile tests, but made no reference to Chapter 7."

Should not there be the subject (they) after "but" in formal English?

Aperisic · Accepted Answer

Gori
Is the below sentence correct gramatically? (I mean from the aspect of formal English grammar)

"Washington settled for a resolution that condemned the missile tests, but made no reference to Chapter 7."

Should not there be the subject (they) after "but" in formal English?

No, it is common not to repeat the subject in the second sentence.

I was so hungry, but I ate almost nothing. => I was so hungry, still ate almost nothing.

(I changed but to still for stylistic reasons)

"Washington settled for a resolution that condemned the missile tests, but [they is Wahington again] made no reference to Chapter 7."

CalifJim · Answer

The sentence is grammatically correct but mispunctuated.

For two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction:

If the second clause does not have a stated subject (because it is the same as the subject of the first clause), there should be no comma.
If each clause has its own stated subject, there should be a comma.

Mary opened the door but didn't go through it.
Mary opened the door and went through it.
Mary opened the door, and she closed the window.
Mary opened the door, and Alice went through it.
Mary opened the door, but Alice closed it.

So we should have

Washington settled ... missile tests but made no reference to ...
or
Washington settled ... missile tests, but it made no reference to ...

The author felt that the first clause was so long that a comma would clarify the structure, so he broke the rule. Not such a bad idea, really. Sometimes, for the sake of clarity -- and that is left to the judgment of the author -- an extra comma makes sense.

CJ

Aperisic · Answer

I was trying to find a strong confirmation that the wording but made no in similar constructions like

Washington settled for a resolution that condemned the missile tests, but made no…

are never separated by comma, but I couldn't.

For me (and regarding other similar samples I could find)

Washington settled for a resolution that condemned the missile tests, but made no reference to Chapter 7.

with comma suggest the expected event, it was expected they to make a reference, but they didn't. One other similar example

During the summer one or two other agents took up the matter cursorily, but made no discoveries.

It was expected they to find something, that is what they wanted during the entire summer, but they missed it.

This way:

Washington settled for a resolution that condemned the missile tests but made no reference to Chapter 7. it is just a fact given, nothing is suggested. Another similar example:

Iraq met its 1980 annual commitment of US$59.4 million but made no further contributions because of its war with Iran.

it is just a fact given and the reason why contribution was not continued, nobody expected it to continue in advance.

What I conclude for myself, is that a missing comma or usage of comma here is within the realm of style. But, it is just me - I don't expect anyone to agree, neither I will discuss this idea any further.

Gori · Answer

Thank you for discussing my grammar question.

I appreciate both replies from Asperic and Califjim.

Necessity of subject after a comma

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