Comments on: Short clauses can take commas

By: tanuja

tanuja — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:57:51 +0000

please tell me how to solve the phrases and the clauses

By: PreciseEdit

PreciseEdit — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:53:36 +0000

For a series of short independent clauses with parallel structure (as in the Caesar example), we sometimes allow the comma.

However, if the commas are not necessary to create a particular tone, or if the clauses are not in a series, or if the clauses are not parallel, we prefer the semi-colon, a comma with a conjunction, or a period, depending on the context.

By: Deborah H

Deborah H — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:27:39 +0000

I confess, I do this.
I confess—sometimes I do this instead.

By: Derrick Grant

Derrick Grant — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:37:59 +0000

Gotta go semicolon in this case – my opinion.

By: Brad K.

Brad K. — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:51:45 +0000

I noticed that I often separate clauses with a comma.

But it appears that I am thinking in terms of verse, rather than sentences, and the commas at time provide the poetic completion of expression.

I came
I saw
I conquered.

How poetic.

I guess I need to time my poetry, or quit timing my prose.

I have heard poetry referred to as “higher information density” than prose.

I have problems with the generalization
Experts teach,
peers comfort.”

But the poetry and symmetry come through loud and clear.

Brad K.