Should this comma be included or omitted?

Question

This sentence is from a politics message board, but I just want to know the grammar rule.

Here's the sentence:

"It isn't fallacy if there are very good reasons to think that they are ignorant, and there are very good reasons to think that the president should not be ignorant."

My first instinct was that the comma should be included because the "and" connects two complete sentences. However, this grammar seems to split the "if-then" structure, and in my opinion, it makes the meaning less clear. Is there a rule for a case like this?

Logically, this statement would read: If (A and B) then C. However, using the comma makes it sound like: If A then B, C.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Anonymoususing the comma makes it sound like: If A then B, C.

I believe that that is the intent.

The comma is correct. It separates (A if B) from C. (A if B) (and) C.

Without the comma you'd have A if (both) (B and C).

It's easier to see with a simpler example.

[ It is wrong if you say 1 + 1 = 3, ] and that was the claim.

It is wrong if [ you say 1 + 1 = 3 and that was the claim ] .

Its being the claim isn't part of what makes it wrong.

The first clause (1 + 1 = 3) is sufficient to make it wrong.

In my opinion it's the same with the original example you quoted.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJimWithout the comma you'd have A if (both) (B and C).

If you did have that logical structure, would you exclude the comma even if the logical "and" connects two complete sentences?

CalifJim · Answer

I don't have a general answer to your most recent question. I think I would leave out the comma if the clauses were fairly short and put one in if the clauses were very long.

CJ

Should this comma be included or omitted?

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