Anonymous  +  563944 Tue, 09 Sep 08 02:22 AM Hi, Would you use a comma here? I think I learned that if two clauses have their own subject and verb, we should use a comma before a conjunction unless the length of clauses is very short. The problem is the rule seems to say such but uses in the real writing world seem not follow the rule often (do not seem to follow - better or correct?).  Sometimes they were just  put on the corner of the table and they often fell off. Also, a side question: When you use the word 'preach', can we not use the preposition 'to' when referring to a place or people? He preached nationals the gospel. He preached to nationals the gospel. He preached Korea the word of God. He preached to Korea the word of God.  Anonymous Verbs, Prepositions, Clauses, Commas

	Clive  +  563949 Tue, 09 Sep 08 02:33 AM Hi, Would you use a comma here? I think I learned that if two clauses have their own subject and verb, we should use a comma before a conjunction unless the length of clauses is very short. The problem is the rule seems to say such but uses in the real writing world seem not follow the rule often (do not seem to follow - better or correct?).  Sometimes they were just  put on the corner of the table and they often fell off. Some people would, some wouldn't. Nobody should really say you are wrong, either way. Also, a side question: When you use the word 'preach', can we not use the preposition 'to' when referring to a place or people? He preached nationals the gospel. He preached to nationals the gospel the gospel to nationals. He preached Korea the word of God. He preached to Korea the word of God the word of God to Korea. All of these are now OK. But I would say the versions with 'to' are much more common. The word 'nationals' is not  very natural here. I suggest either 'Korean nationals' or, better yet, simply 'Koreans'. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,594 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Verbs, Prepositions, Clauses, Commas

	Philip  +  563961 Tue, 09 Sep 08 02:56 AM Your questions have been answered by one of the best!  It is helpful to us to know people by something other than "anonymous"; sometimes we can use what we know about you from previous questions to answer further questions.  Have you considered registering? Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,736 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen Commas