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Subject:Re: Usage of the word "BUT" From:"Mark L. Levinson" <mark -at- MEMCO -dot- CO -dot- IL> Date:Thu, 27 Nov 1997 14:12:35 +0200
A. "This sub-directory is easily accessible by all employees,
but can only be updated by the Administrator."
B. "This sub-directory is easily accessible by all employees
but can only be updated by the Administrator."
If the word "but" separates two independent clauses (that is, if
the words on each side of the "but" could stand as a complete
sentence) then a comma is recommended... unless the clauses are
very short.
Conversely, if the second clause is not independent (as in the
A & B example above, where it lacks a subject), then the comma is
not recommended... unless the clauses are very long. I think that
in this case the clauses aren't.
--
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- Mark L. Levinson - Memco Software - Wallenberg 24 - 69719 Tel Aviv
- work: mark -at- memco -dot- co -dot- il / tel. 03-6450049 / fax 03-6450001
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