Search results for 'tag:Punctuation tag:Predicates' matching tags 'Punctuation' and 'Predicates'

Commas between clauses.

Eddie88 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:42:38 GMT

Hi, I was reading up on verbals and realised I had a question. Here is the sentence:

Verbals are derived from verbs, but because they are nonfinite verb forms, they cannot serve as the predicate of a clause.

Verbals are derived from verbs=main clause

but=coordinating conjunction

because they are non-finite verb forms=dependent clause

they cannot serve as the predicate of a clause=independent clause

Question

Is the comma preceding the BUT essential or optional? Why?

Formulae,

Independent clause    ,   coordinating conjunction      independent clause
Independent clause         dependent clause
Dependent clause      ,     independent clause
Independent clause        dependent clause      ,          independent clause

In this case it looks like this. Is there a formula (punctuation)?

Independent clause      coordinating conjunction      dependent clause    independent clause

What is the punctuation?

Is the comma there only because the sub. clause is non essential, or is there a rule based around having a conjunction before the sub clause and after the main clause?

Thanks.

Re: What type of phrase is this?

CalifJim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:37:32 GMT

Eddie88
Is 'giving birth to her second anchor baby' a present particple phrase?

Yes.

Eddie88
Secondly, to be grammatically correct, does it need to have a comma separating it from the sentence?

No. Grammatical correctness is independent of punctuation. No amount of punctuation can make an ungrammatical sentence grammatical, and vice versa.

Eddie88
Is it even better to write it like this ... 'The average illegal patient, giving birth to her second anchor baby, is 25 years old

Not necessarily. This is a question of style. Remove the commas, though, because the meaning is 'restrictive'.

Eddie88
is it best written like this? The average illegal patient is 25 years old AND IS giving birth to her second anchor baby.'

No. Absolutely not. The revision takes a subordinate idea and makes it a coordinate idea.

Eddie88
Finally, 'IS 25 years old' is this an appositive?

No. It's a predicate. It consists of a linking verb and an adjective.

Comma - Compound Predicate or Parenthetical Phrase

sd15 — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:18:05 GMT

Consider this common construction:Â

She ran to the end of the field and never looked back.

Or you might find this punctuation:

She ran to the end of the field, and never looked back.

I think the second is more common, but the first more correct. I analyze the sentence as containing a compound predicate, "ran" and "looked," and find no grounds for breaking it with a comma. The second style of punctuation, however, seems to apply semantic rather than grammatical principles, treating "and never look back" as warranting a comma because it signals a contrast. Still, a grammatical characterization of the second part of the sentence is needed, but what might it be? How can "and," used here, serve as anything other than a conjunction?

Re: Comma + coordinate conjunction with imperative clauses

Mister Micawber — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:28:04 GMT

.
Hello Bino,

there should always be some kind of punctuation mark between coordinate clauses.

This is generally right... but yours are not coordinate clauses, because the second has no subject, and we cannot punctuate once (though we can do so twice) between S and V.

It's a little tricky here ; the first doesn't have a subject either-- but it is implied in the command.

[You] Stand up like a man and take the punishment you deserve!
[You] Stand and take your punishment!

You have two coordinate predicates, not clauses. Notice the difference with two coordinate clauses: Sit down, and he'll take your punishment for you! Here we have the two coordinate (independent) clauses.

You are not out of date-- the comma is used rather cavalierly nowadays-- but it is actually the inserted comma that is 'wrong'.

Books are unnecessary. Try HERE or HERE, for instance.
.

Please Check My Answers

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:47:54 GMT

1. An adjective modifies a:
A. verb. B. noun. C. pronoun. D. both b & c.
Answer D.

2. Adverbs modify:
A. verbs. B. adjectives. C. other adverbs. D. all the above
Answer D.

3. The purpose of a preposition is to connect:
A. nouns to other words in the sentence. B. pronouns to other words in the sentence. C. a group of words acting as a noun to another word in the sentence. D. all of the above
Answer D.

4. Which of the following words is not a preposition?
A. aboard B. by C. beside D. himself
Answer D.

5. The main parts of a sentence are:
A. the subject and the predicate. B. an adjective and adverb. C. a verb and adverb. D. the capital and punctuation.
Answer A.

6. A sentence fragment may be lacking :
A. a subject. B. a verb. C. both a subject and a verb. D. all of the above.
Answer D.

7. Phrases and clauses are incorrectly used when they are:
A. deleted. B. left dangling. C. misplaced. D. both b & c
Answer D.

8. A dangling modifier is a word or group of words that:
A. does not seem to modify any word in a sentence. B. can be placed anywhere in a sentence. C. both a & b D. neither a nor b
Answer A.

Compound Predicate

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:19:41 GMT

Is the following an example of a compound predicate, and if it is, is the punctuation correct?

"I tried all of the classes but didnât like any of them."

Re: An incorrect sentence formation or incorrect punctuation?

Clive — Thu, 24 May 2007 00:51:47 GMT

Hi,

in these two expressions, there is no verb in either phrase to express a predicate. so, does the error lie in an incorrect formation of a sentence <<< YES or an incorrect use of a punctuation? thank you.

the lad from belfast; the one and only george best.

the legend of christmas; the one and only santa clause.

These are not sentences. They are just phrases.

It's like saying 'The table' or 'The table; the chair'.

Best wishes, Clive

An incorrect sentence formation or incorrect punctuation?

Dan01 — Thu, 24 May 2007 00:27:56 GMT

in these two expressions, there is no verb in either phrase to express a predicate. so, does the error lie in an incorrect formation of a sentence or an incorrect use of a punctuation? thank you.

the lad from belfast; the one and only george best.

the legend of christmas; the one and only santa clause.

Different questions

MIA6 — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 18:43:28 GMT

1. A modifying subordinate clause that interrupts or concludes a main clause is not set off with punctuation when it is essential to the meaning of the word or words it modifies. Here i don't understand what "essential" means.

2. Absolute phrases consist of a noun or pronoun and a participle, plus any modifiers. e.g. The immigrants having learned English, their opportunities widen. The underlined part is absolute phrase, but i didn't find the modifier in that part, so i am not sure that if absolute phrase must have modifier.

3. Their future more secure, these citizens will make room for new arrivals. I don't know why there is no Be-verb between "future" and "more".

4. A main clause has a subject and a predicate (but no subordinating word at the begining) and makes a complete statement. My question is: e.g. For you are late, you need to clean the whole classroom. What is main clause: For you are late Or you are late? Can a main clause include a Coordinating word? not a subordinating word?

Thanks for replying!

Re: Comma

paco2004 — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 07:48:24 GMT

Sunu wrote:
The comma is only required after the subordinate clause where it meets its main clause. Have I got that right?
In the following sentence where the conjunction is not coordinating two independent clauses:
ããããI am going to the movies and will catch a cab if it rains and snows.

Yes, you are correct in punctuation. This sentence is a single sentence made up of two predicates and the if-clause is subordinate to the second predicate. We need no comma for this sentence.

Sunu wrote:
But, if we were to rewrite it as:
I am going to the movies and, if it rains and snows, will catch a cab.
Would we need a comma between the coordinating 'and' and subordinate clause?

This is also perfect, in my opinion. The if-clause is a sub clause inserted into the second predicate, and the Third RULE is that any inserted phrase or clause should be in between two commas. So your punctuation is correct.

paco