Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[rice07]

Hi

Take, for example , the following sentences.

You're a teacher . He's a student.

You're a teacher ; he's a student .

You're a teacher , and he's a student .

As far as I'm aware that semicolon is equivalent to comma + conj.( and, so , but , ...). So , in my opinion , it was grammatically incorrect if we joined those two sentences like the way in the following.

You're a teacher , he's a student .(incorrect with no conj. between these two sentences in this case--in my opinion)

Quoted another example from newspaper as follows--

The speech was to be roughly split between domestic and foreign matters. There were few surprises expected and no big initiatives.

To the degree the speech favors the pragmatic over the bold , the White House offers a two-word explanation : Blame Congress.

Do you think the second paragraph in the above is incorrect ? or it is acceptable for informal use ?

Thanks for your help !

[CP]

First tip: Put a space after punctuation, but not before it. You put spaces after the word but before the comma or period, and that is not standard.

Second: I agree that you can have a full stop, a semicolon, or a comma plus conjunction for your sentences, and it would not be correct to use just a comma. However, this sentence would be correct: You are a student, he is a teacher, and I am the principal.

Third: The second paragraph is correct as is. It begins with an adverbial phrase, set off by a comma, followed by a sentence. Perfectly fine for formal or informal use. What do you dislike about it?
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[rice07]

Hi Cp

Nice having you again!

Thanks for your reminder of the first tip; now I know it!

Regarding 'You are a student, he is a teacher, and I am the principal', I know it is correct.

As to the third, I agree that it begins with an adverbial phrase(To the degree). If you meant that the structure was perfectly fine for sentence in the second paragraph, then I would assume that 'To the degree' was an adverbial phrase doing the function of a conj.. Like,

1.He deserves our respect because he is honest.
=Because he is honest, he deserves our respect. (because-- an adverbial conj.)

2. Seeing as no one wants to do it, I'd better do it myself.
=I'd better do it myself seeing as no one wants to do it. (seeing as-- an adverbial phrase served as a conj.)

Could you develop this point further for me? Many thanks!

Sincerely

Rice 07

[CP]

Mmmm. Better leave that to the real experts. Mr. Micawber? Dr. Chepur? Anyone?
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[rice07]

hopefully(adv.) used to express what you hope will happen:

Hopefully, we'll arrive before dark.

Although this is the most common use of hopefully, it is a fairly new use and some people think it is not correct.

According to this case above, perhaps it could explain the question I raised. Languages are dynamic, so sometimes don't ask why for some cases!