Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : SI Grammar and Spelling Lab -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: B.C. who wrote (3153)	7/15/1999 11:36:00 AM
From: jbe	Respond to of 4711

Carli, it seems to me that the only appropriate rule here is that a dependent clause is normally followed by a comma. In my opinion, you do not have an elliptical clause here at all. The word "then" is truly redundant; besides, it is an adverb, not a conjunction. The only conjunction you need be concerned with is the "if" at the beginning of the sentence: it signals that the first clause will be a dependent clause, and hence should be followed by a comma. The structure of the ensuing independent clause, whether elliptical or not, is irrelevant to the rule. (You yourself noted that it applied only to the introductory clause.) Will be happy to fight it out, chapter & verse. :-) jbe