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Snarf Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

That is - Comma vs. Semi-Colon

A professor once told me never to start a sentence with "That is." Was he right about that? Does "That is" in the beginning preclude the sentence from being an independent clause? I don't know anymore, because I've been seeing it lately either at the beginning of a sentence or after a semi-colon. Please have a look at the slight variation of this sentence:

It was the right thing to do, that is, it was the best option for everyone.

It was the right thing to do; that is, it was the best option for everyone.

Is that first one a comma splice, or is it correct? Is the comma, in fact, separating an independent clause from a dependent one?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Snarf Is that first one a comma splice Yes. Snarf Is the comma, in fact, separating an independent clause from a dependent one? No.

— RandomGuy

  • Snarf Is that first one a comma splice Yes.
  • Snarf Is the comma, in fact, separating an independent clause from a dependent one?
  • No.
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7 Answers
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SnarfIs that first one a comma splice
Yes.
SnarfIs the comma, in fact, separating an independent clause from a dependent one?
No.
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Oh, so he was wrong! Interesting. I see it both ways so often, sometimes with the comma before that is, and sometimes not.
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Snarfsometimes with the comma before that is
Yes, if what follows is a fragment.
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What about this?

That is, the day after the night before.

Is that a sentence fragment or a standalone sentence? And this:

That is, they wanted to see how she worked.

Is that independent?
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That is is not a subordinator, so just ask yourself this question: Is "They wanted to see how she worked" an independent clause?

And does the day after the night before look like a sentence to you?
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Aspara GusThat is is not a subordinator, so just ask yourself this question: Is "They wanted to see how she worked" an independent clause?
Definitely. So I guess That is there is like using In fact, but with a different meaning. Neither are subordinators.

So the following:

They wanted to see w
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