ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: subordinate clauses?

26TMNTJG2PG — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:01:01 GMT

I think the two number 2's should be correct instead according to one of the functions of commas stated below:-

The comma is often used to separate a dependent clause from the independent clause if the dependent clause comes first.

After I brushed the cat, I lint-rollered my clothes. (optional comma)
I lint-rollered my clothes after I brushed the cat. (no comma)
[FROM ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma_%28punctuation%29]

Re: subordinate clauses?

Jackson6612 — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:57:34 GMT

Anonymous

Why are number 1's correct, whereas number 2's are not? Please note the commas.

First Part:
1. Stealing is illegal, because it is a crime.

2. Stealing is illegal because it is a crime.

Second Part:
1. Fishing is important to us, since it generates a lot of income.

2. Since fishing generates a lot income, it is important to us.

I can understand what thing is baffling you. In the First Part you would be thinking about the use of that comma. I don't think that the second sentence is incorrect. Sometimes what choice of words/punctuation an author uses in certain expressions is completely at his discretion. So both sentences in the First Part are correct. because is used when stating the reason for something. In the following sentence no comma is used in front of because. The President has played a shrewd diplomatic game because from the outset he called for direct talks with the United States...

Now come to the Second Part. since is used to introduce reasons or explanations. since=as. since can also be used at the start of the sentences but only when the sentence begins with the subordinate clause. e.g. Since you are unable to answer, we should ask someone else. In that sentence you cannot use since in front of we because the clause starting with we is the main one. The second sentence is also correct. It's just that it starts with the subordinate clause.

Kind regards,
Jackson

Re: subordinate clauses?

optilang — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:57:24 GMT

"Since fishing generates a lot of income, it is important to us"

Could someone kindly explain why this is not correct?

Thanks

Re: subordinate clauses?

Creativeguru — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:14:27 GMT

Hi,

Stealing is illegal, because it is a crime.>>> here first we are providing fact and then reasoning of it. Hence comma should come after illegal

Fishing is important to us, since it generates a lot of income.>>> same first its the fact and then we emphasise on it so we need the coma after us

Hope it helps

Thanks

subordinate clauses?

Anonymous — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:38:22 GMT

Hi,

Why are number 1's correct, whereas number 2's are not? Please note the commas.

1. Stealing is illegal, because it is a crime.

2. Stealing is illegal because it is a crime.

1.Fishing is important to us, since it generates a lot of income.

2. Since fishing generates a lot income, it is important to us.