The Word “That” — Omitted

Margie Wakeman WellsGeneral, The Comma 2 Comments

We have to be aware when the word “that” is omitted — which usually makes something a dependent clause, needing no comma, rather than an independent clause, which would need a comma.

Suppose [that] a patient arrives on an afternoon and [that] you’ve been in there in the morning.

No comma before “and” because the “that” is understood, beginning a dependent clause, not an independent clause.

…I know that Mr. Smith has drafted a lawsuit in this case and [that] it’s got a petition in it and [that] the petition has sort of the legal crux of what the case is.

Happy punctuating!

Margie

Comments 2

    1. Post
      Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *