Grammar Question (1 Viewer)

[chet]

Do the following sentences need a comma to be grammatically correct?

The storms have a circular shape and can be hundreds of miles across.

People in threatened areas leave their homes and seek shelter in a safe place away from the coast.

Are commas required after shape and homes?

 

[wikkidpissah]

no,pe

 

[chet]

no,pe

1. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses.

Is this an actual rule?

 

[DaVinci]

1. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses.

Is this an actual rule?

Yes it is. Neither of your examples has two independent clauses.

 

[shades]

Do the following sentences need a comma to be grammatically correct?

The storms have a circular shape and can be hundreds of miles across.

People in threatened areas leave their homes and seek shelter in a safe place away from the coast.

Are commas required after shape and homes?

Not required after either. Although acceptable in the first sentence after "shape". Depends on context, but it's pretty optional. Not useful in the second sentence. Not mandatory in either.

 

[Tick]

I concur - neither requires a comma.

 

[kevzilla]

If I was writing it, I would have a comma in the first one, but not in the second.

 

[Snoopy]

If I was writing it, I would have a comma in the first one, but not in the second.

If I were writing it, I would have a comma in the first one, but not in the second.

 

[kevzilla]

If I were writing it, I would have a comma in the first one, but not in the second.

I wanna party with you, cowboy

 

[Snoopy]

I don't like playing Grammar Nazi, but this is a grammar thread.

 

[wikkidpissah]

I don't like playing Grammar Nazi, but this is a grammar thread.

it's a good thing you used proper punctuation, or i would have started thinking about that website that shows nothing but grammar Nazi buts

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Not required after either. Although acceptable in the first sentence after "shape". Depends on context, but it's pretty optional. Not useful in the second sentence. Not mandatory in either.

Not optional- just incorrect.

 

[El Floppo]

Do the following sentences need a comma to be grammatically correct?

The storms have a circular shape and can be hundreds of miles across.

People in threatened areas leave their homes and seek shelter in a safe place away from the coast.

Are commas required after shape and homes?

I asked my my English Teacher mother...

I would call them optional here and probably leave them out too. Some are, like these, really optional. XXMom PS- this Chet character doesn't sound trustworthy.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I would call them optional here

Still 

 

[El Floppo]

Still 

60+ years (and still teaching) experience. I'll go with her take here....

 

[shades]

Not optional- just incorrect.

It depends on the preceding sentence, if a comparison is being made 

 

[Brunell4MVP]

I'd go with 3 dots here.  Just because I hate following rules.

The storms have a circular shape ... and can be hundreds of miles across

 

[El Floppo]

I'd go with 3 dots here.  Just because I hate following rules.

The storms have a circular shape ... and can be hundreds of miles across

What color dots are we talking?

 

[chet]

If I change the sentences in the following way, does that change the answer?  
 

The storms have a circular shape and they can be hundreds of miles across.

People in threatened areas leave their homes and they seek shelter in a safe place away from the coast.

 

[DaVinci]

If I change the sentences in the following way, does that change the answer?  
 

The storms have a circular shape and they can be hundreds of miles across.

People in threatened areas leave their homes and they seek shelter in a safe place away from the coast.

Yes. If you can replace the "and" with a period and have two complete sentences (without changing their meaning), you need a comma.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Yes. If you can replace the "and" with a period and have two complete sentences (without changing their meaning), you need a comma.

What he said.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

What color dots are we talking?

no brown dots.  so whatever the others were

 

[kutta]

Yes. If you can replace the "and" with a period and have two complete sentences (without changing their meaning), you need a comma.

This be correct.

 

[SWC]

punctuation is for chumps take that to the bank brohans 

 

[Phil Elliott]

punctuation is for chumps take that to the bank brohans 

Without punctuation, these are just some words.

 

[rockaction]

I've never had strict and rigid formal grammar training. I write how I talk. The above problem vexed me in my twenties. I eventually learned, though I mainly do it by feel rather than dependent/independent clause analysis.

But I've been there for sure. Or is that "But I've been there, for sure." Argh. Or is it either?

 

[SWC]

Without punctuation, these are just some words.

oooh look at you i see you also capitalized some stuff in there well hey it must be nice on your wicker furniture up in that ivory tower of yours me im the guy that makes sure your car runs and your food gets grown so maybe while you are looking up how to use periods of elipses you can stop looking down your nose at us poor slobs who aint sittin on richboy woven wooden strip loveseats take that to the bank bromigo  

 

[rockaction]

i see you also capitalized some stuff in there well hey it must be nice on your wicker furniture up in that ivory tower of yours me im the guy that makes sure your car runs and your food gets grown so maybe while you are looking up how to use periods of elipses you can stop looking down your nose at us poor slobs who aint sittin on richboy woven wooden strip loveseats take that to the bank bromigo  

Do not let it get you down, SWC'er. All the commas in the world ain't gonna make that engine run, and you know in the pyramid of importance which takes precedence. Then again, if we don't have standard forms of communication, how are we to spread that engine knowledge?

It's a question bigger than me. I assure you of that, fine sir.

 

[SWC]

commas are like school in the summer take that to the bank bromigos 

 

[DaVinci]

i see you also capitalized some stuff in there well hey it must be nice on your wicker furniture up in that ivory tower of yours me im the guy that makes sure your car runs and your food gets grown so maybe while you are looking up how to use periods of elipses you can stop looking down your nose at us poor slobs who aint sittin on richboy woven wooden strip loveseats take that to the bank bromigo  

Do not let it get you down, SWC'er. All the commas in the world ain't gonna make that engine run, and you know in the pyramid of importance which takes precedence. Then again, if we don't have standard forms of communication, how are we to spread that engine knowledge?

It's a question bigger than me. I assure you of that, fine sir

Coherence isn’t a strong suit for either of you, but we love you all the same. When you think about it, all forms of communication are a collection of grunts, squeals, and squiggles that we pretend have some meaning. There is no universal truth underlying the word “bank”, the dramatic pause, or the semicolon. The only exception is the Oxford comma. The Oxford comma was handed down by the Lord God Almighty, and those who fail to heed His decree are doomed to an eternity of hellfire, brimstone, and Real Houswives reruns.

 

[El Floppo]

Coherence isn’t a strong suit for either of you, but we love you all the same. When you think about it, all forms of communication are a collection of grunts, squeals, and squiggles that we pretend have some meaning. There is no universal truth underlying the word “bank”, the dramatic pause, or the semicolon. The only exception is the Oxford comma. The Oxford comma was handed down by the Lord God Almighty, and those who fail to heed His decree are doomed to an eternity of hellfire, brimstone, and Real Houswives reruns.

Is that a vampire weekend lyric?

 

[The Football Freak]

punctuation is for chumps take that to the bank brohans 

Cormac? Is that you? 

 

[The Football Freak]

I've never had strict and rigid formal grammar training. I write how I talk. The above problem vexed me in my twenties. I eventually learned, though I mainly do it by feel rather than dependent/independent clause analysis.

But I've been there for sure. Or is that "But I've been there, for sure." Argh. Or is it either?

Once you’re starting a sentence with “but,” you’re already choosing what rules to follow. As the artists adage goes, “you learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them.”

But, I’ve been there for sure. But I’ve been there, for sure. But I’ve been there for sure. All can be used, since it’s dialogue, which doesn’t have as stringent grammar rules. Choose your structure for sound and impact. Basically, it comes down to the tone you wish to convey.

 

[rockaction]

Once you’re starting a sentence with “but,” you’re already choosing what rules to follow. As the artists adage goes, “you learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them.”

But, I’ve been there for sure. But I’ve been there, for sure. But I’ve been there for sure. All can be used, since it’s dialogue, which doesn’t have as stringent grammar rules. Choose your structure for sound and impact. Basically, it comes down to the tone you wish to convey.

I was being a little cheeky with the usage of "but." I'm glad somebody noticed. Brings a wry smile to my face.