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<  The Ministry of Magic  ~  Grammar Question

southern_witch_69
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:22 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Louisiana / USA
Well, I had some nice links to sites that have tips and rules for grammar. My big problem lately seems to be the use of a comma after then. I would swear that I remeber reading something about needing a comma after then when it was part of a complete sentence because then was an adverb that tells when. (I have my books packed still since the storm--lazy arse about unpacking some things since I might move soon.)

Did my mind make that up? hehe. I'm so KoRnFuZeD. The best part? I can't find that place, and I see some rules, though none are specific about this.

Then, she moved to the door.

Then she moved to the door.

He ran to the house and then went inside.

He ran to the house, and then, he went inside.

He ran to the house, and then he went inside.

Sometimes the comma looks right, but other times it doesn't. I'm doing a beta job right now for someone that has then littering the entire chapter. It's driving me crazy. I'm working to edit away some, but those that will remain...

Any pointers? Any link to a site that might have this rule?

SW69

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Nakhash Mekashefah
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 5:38 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 20
Usually, it falls under a rule with conjunctions and shows a comma preceeding it.


I would go with these as being correct:

Then she moved to the door.

He ran to the house, and then he went inside.


You might be able to argue 'style' in the case of "Then, she moved to the door" if you're going for a dramatic pause in the middle of some tense scene.


I found this site:

http://chuma.cas.usf.edu/~olson/pms/comma.html


If you do a "find" (ctrl/F) for "then," you'll find some examples that may help.


Good Luck!


Nak

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southern_witch_69
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:24 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 27 Location: Louisiana / USA
Thank you. I've bookmarked it and will go through it. I don't think I've been to that site yet.

SW

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Nakhash Mekashefah
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:33 pm Reply with quote
Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 20
You're welcome!


Nak

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