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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 10-Feb-2004, 05:44
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Default commas

I hate milk and therefore I hate chocolate.

i read a rule that when a cojunctive adverb joins 2 independent clauses it should be seperate using a semicolon but there is another rule that a adverb can be puncuated using set off commas as well, both rules can be used here. there i am confused about how to punctaute a conjunctive adverb in this sentence. Please advise the correct punctaution. Also, is it wrong to say "and therefore?"
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Old 10-Feb-2004, 11:23
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I think different people would use different punctuation, but I would go for this:

I hate milk and, therefore, I hate chocolate.
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Old 10-Feb-2004, 14:48
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Default Re: commas

Quote:
Originally Posted by chandni
I hate milk and therefore I hate chocolate.

i read a rule that when a cojunctive adverb joins 2 independent clauses it should be seperate using a semicolon but there is another rule that a adverb can be puncuated using set off commas as well, both rules can be used here. there i am confused about how to punctaute a conjunctive adverb in this sentence. Please advise the correct punctaution. Also, is it wrong to say "and therefore?"
Both rules are correct. The problem is that you have a potential conjunctive adverb and a conjunction together. Thus, "therefore" becomes just an adverb here. The "and" does the conjoining.

I hate milk; therefore, I hate chocolate.
I hate milk, and, therefore, I hate chocolate.

As TDOL suggested, some would leave out the comma between "and" and "therefore", making the two words a sort of combined conjunction. The additional comma is more widely accepted.

The punctuation having been dealt with, the logic of the sentence escapes me. :wink:
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Old 10-Feb-2004, 21:06
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Default Re: commas

Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

The punctuation having been dealt with, the logic of the sentence escapes me. :wink:
I think it is the milk chocolate he hates. BMO
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Old 12-Feb-2004, 17:03
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Default Re: commas

Quote:
Originally Posted by bmo
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

The punctuation having been dealt with, the logic of the sentence escapes me. :wink:
I think it is the milk chocolate he hates. BMO
Either that or chocolate milk.
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