Which word is suitable for this sentence?

[ngoc_lan]

Spring_________, the trees begin to turn green.
a. has come
b. having come
c. comes
d. will come

And can you explain in detail why we have to use it?
I hope to receive answers from you soon. Thanks a lot.

[Rover_KE]

You try first. Hint: the comma is key.

[ngoc_lan]

I don't understand. Maybe you should give me some more hints

[Rover_KE]

Only one answer is grammatically correct.

The others would need a semicolon instead of the comma.

Semicolons

Rule 1
Use a semicolon in place of a full stop or comma to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

Examples:
Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

(GrammarBook.com)

Rover

[TheParser]

Spring_________, the trees begin to turn green.
a. has come
b. having come
c. comes
d. will come

And can you explain in detail why we have to use it?
.

NOT A TEACHER


(1) I understand how difficult this is for learners such as you and I.

(2) In English, a little thing such as a comma makes a BIG difference.

(3) As the teacher has explained to us, the following sentences drive teachers crazy:

Spring has come, the trees begin to turn green.
Spring comes, the trees ....
Spring will come, the trees ....

As the teacher explained, you could "fix" these sentences by adding a semicolon:

Spring has come; the trees begin to turn green.

OR you could just make two sentences:

Spring has come.
The trees begin to turn green.

(a) Please remember this: You cannnot (usually) connect two or more sentences with

a comma. A comma is considered too weak.

(4) Spring having come, the trees begin to turn green.

(a) This time, the comma is correct.

(b) Why?

(c) Because "Spring having come" is NOT a sentence. It is an elegant way that

people sometimes write (NOT speak). It is a short way to say "Because spring has

come, the trees begin to turn green."

(i) I know that it is very difficult to understand. Books call it a nominative absolute.

For example, in conversation we would say:

Because the teacher was absent, we students went home.

In beautiful writing, people might write:

The teacher being absent, we students went home.

[ngoc_lan]

Thanks a lot. I understand now, but it takes lots of time and effort to know it clearly!
Maybe I won't undervalue the punctuation marks any more from now on!!!!!!!

[5jj]

Maybe I won't undervalue the punctuation marks any more from now on!!!!!!!

Good. Don't forget to include the exclamation mark. One is enough.

[BobSmith]

(1) I understand how difficult this is for learners such as you and I me.

I hope you don't mind!

[5jj]

Originally Posted by TheParser
(1) I understand how difficult this is for learners such as you and I me.

I hope you don't mind!

One could, I suppose, read this as: "I understand how difficult this is for learners such as you and I (are)"

[TheParser]

I hope you don't mind!

NOT A TEACHER


(1) Sorry for the late reply. Just got back from my daily walk on the mean streets of the city.

(2) Of course, I do not mind. That is the reason that we learners come to usingenglish.com. We are always grateful when a courteous and patient teacher points out our mistakes.

(3) You are 100% correct: most books today parse "such as" as a preposition.
Thus: ...for learners such as you and me./ for learners like you and me.

(4) Out of respect for my fellow learners, I shall no longer use "such as you and I" in my posts.

*****

(5) I am, however, a very old man who does not like the many changes in language (and in

society). So you will understand that I shall continue to use "such as you and I" in

my private correspondence. During my walk, I was rehearsing in my mind how to

explain the reason why I think that "I" is really the "correct" word. You can imagine

my delight when I clicked on this thread and found 5jj's answer.

(6) We learners are indeed lucky to have excellent teachers such as you and 5jj

(are). / ...to have such excellent teachers as you and 5jj (are).