 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsEnglish UsageBritish EnglishESL Teaching Learnglish.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Discussion Groups / English Usage / October 2006Do I need a comma here?
"Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our system has a spell checker built into the form." Or is it... "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public so our system has a spell checker built into the form." I believe that it is the former and not the latter (or is it: "I believe that it is the former, and not the latter"?). On 30 Oct 2006, Brablo wrote > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our > system has a spell checker built into the form." [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > I believe that it is the former and not the latter You believe correctly -- the division is necessary to eliminate confusion. > (or is it: "I > believe that it is the former, and not the latter"?). In this case, a matter of stylistic choice: whichever seems more natural to you, but either is fine.  SignatureCheers, Harvey Canadian and British English, indiscriminately mixed For e-mail, change harvey.news to harvey.van >> "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our >> system has a spell checker built into the form." [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > You believe correctly -- the division is necessary to eliminate > confusion. ... and that ain't the only reason. >> (or is it: "I >> believe that it is the former, and not the latter"?). > > In this case, a matter of stylistic choice: whichever seems more > natural to you, but either is fine. I'd leave it out. There is no reason for a comma there. SignatureSkitt (in Hayward, California) http://www.geocities.com/opus731/ On 30 Oct 2006, Skitt wrote >>> (or is it: "I >>> believe that it is the former, and not the latter"?). >> >> In this case, a matter of stylistic choice: whichever seems >> more natural to you, but either is fine. > I'd leave it out. There is no reason for a comma there. Yup -- that's a judgement call, though, which is why I didn't indicate a preference. FWIW, I like it there to indicate a verbal pause -- that'd be my "reason" for it -- but it's a horses-and-courses thing. SignatureCheers, Harvey Canadian and British English, indiscriminately mixed For e-mail, change harvey.news to harvey.van > On 30 Oct 2006, Brablo wrote > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > You believe correctly -- the division is necessary to eliminate > confusion. Without it, it's something like "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public in order that our system has a spell checker built into the form," where something goes a bit wrong around the "has". SignatureEvan Kirshenbaum +------------------------------------ HP Laboratories |Oh, forget it: I can't write about 1501 Page Mill Road, 1U, MS 1141 |this anymore until I find a much Palo Alto, CA 94304 |more sarcastic typeface. | Bill Bickel kirshenbaum@hpl.hp.com (650)857-7572 http://www.kirshenbaum.net/ > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our system > has a spell checker built into the form." [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public so our system > has a spell checker built into the form." You need the comma. Also, although you didn't ask, I can't see any reason not to delete "to the public." I don't think it adds anything. Even without it you'd still need the comma. > I believe that it is the former and not the latter (or is it: "I > believe that it is the former, and not the latter"?). I'd omit the comma, although I agree with those who say the sentence is okay with or without it. SignatureBob Lieblich Pedant manque > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our system > has a spell checker built into the form." [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public so our system > has a spell checker built into the form." It's a matter of personal preference. I personally prefer the former. >> "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our system >> has a spell checker built into the form." Is there an agreed spelling/form for "spell checker"? In the above, I'd tend to write "spelling checker", but I know that "spell checker" is accepted without comment. SignatureTony Cooper Orlando, FL >>> "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our >>> system has a spell checker built into the form." >>> > Is there an agreed spelling/form for "spell checker"? In the above, > I'd tend to write "spelling checker", but I know that "spell checker" > is accepted without comment. From Outlook Express "Help": begin quote=== To check the spelling in messages Outlook Express uses the spelling checker provided with the following Microsoft Office programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. ===end quote This is not to imply that Microsoft uses "spelling checker" all the time. I wouldn't be surprised to find that MS calls it "spell checker" in some other reference. Incidentally, I agree with the others about the comma in the OP's sentence. That is, leave it in. SignatureMaria There's only one 'n' in my email address, and it's not in my first name. >> "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our >> system has a spell checker built into the form." > > Is there an agreed spelling/form for "spell checker"? In the above, > I'd tend to write "spelling checker", but I know that "spell checker" > is accepted without comment. I write "spelling checker", as I don't cast too many spells. I have to acknowledge the existence of "spell-checker", "spell-check", and "spelling checker" in M-W Online. AHD4 has "spell checker" and "spellchecker". Interestingly enough, when referring to one of those things in another entry, AHD4 calls it a spelling checker. I think the latter is what it is, so that is what I use. SignatureSkitt (in Hayward, California) http://www.geocities.com/opus731/ >>> "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our >>> system has a spell checker built into the form." [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >I write "spelling checker", as I don't cast too many spells. I am not the only one! Oh, thank you! >I have to acknowledge the existence of "spell-checker", "spell-check", and >"spelling checker" in M-W Online. AHD4 has "spell checker" and Not in polite company, please. >"spellchecker". Interestingly enough, when referring to one of those >things in another entry, AHD4 calls it a spelling checker. I think the >latter is what it is, so that is what I use. Sincerely, Gene Wirchenko Computerese Irregular Verb Conjugation: I have preferences. You have biases. He/She has prejudices. > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public, so our system > has a spell checker built into the form." [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > "Spelling errors can give a bad impression to the public so our system > has a spell checker built into the form." That is a compound sentence (a sentence containing two or more independent propositions) in which the adverb "so" is further acting as a coordinating conjunction joining the two clauses. To avoid the reader having to back up and re-read (or at least re-parse) a compound sentence, one normally separates the clauses by a comma unless both are quite short and their relation clear. That is especially important with overtly co-ordinate clauses ("She was bored by music and reading had no interest for her"), but wise at all times. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2012 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.