Anonymous  +  373218 Thu, 31 May 07 08:01 PM I have seen two independent clauses brought together without a comma before the "and."  Can someone tell me when this is considered acceptable? Anonymous Clauses, Commas

	Grammar Geek  +  373226 Thu, 31 May 07 08:12 PM Officially, you should have the comma. But many people don't know that or don't care. If the sentence is still completely understandable without it with no possibility for confusion, the grammar gods don't cry about this as much as perhaps they used to. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Grammar, Commas

	Clive  +  373358 Fri, 01 Jun 07 02:09 AM Hi, I don't remember ever being taught that a comma was 'officially' required.    Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,668 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

	Grammar Geek  +  373363 Fri, 01 Jun 07 02:23 AM Clive's right - no surprise there! Like many aspects of punctuation, this is perhaps a style issue rather than a grammar issue, and the style guides I've used professionally have had this rule. But rule within one style guide is not a rule like verb agreement is a rule. So here are the real rules: 1) Avoid ambuiguity and confusion 2) Be consistent Grammar Geek Grammar, Verbs, Commas, Punctuation