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dido4
Joined: 23 Dec 2005
Posts: 277
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 Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: or |
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Do we need a comma before or in the following sentences?
1.Do you like apples, or oranges?
2.Do you like apples, bananas, or oranges?
3.Which do you like, apples, or oranges?
4.Which do you like, apples, bananas, or oranges?
5.He or she is a student.
If yes, why we need a comma?
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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About 50 years ago, in UK, you were supposed to put a comma before a conjunction, such as, "or".
In my opinion it is still correct to do so, but the forces of laziness, and progressive educators have begun to accept it if you leave out commas, especially in short sentences.
In general, you should insert a comma wherever there would be a slight pause if you were speaking the sentences. |
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