2

I'm not sure if the comma before the word "and" is properly used in the sentence below this paragraph. I believe a comma is not needed because the second clause is a subordinate clause, but I am not completely sure. I'm trying to improve my grammar and would appreciate any help or advice. Thank you.

"Your country's moral superiority is a scam, and has been exposed as what it is numerous times".

2
  • Yes. It's needed for the literary effect in the place.
    – Kris
    Commented Aug 12, 2015 at 6:37
  • Would the sentence be correct If "it" is placed before "and": "Your country's moral superiority is a scam, and it has been exposed as what it is numerous times"
    – Victor
    Commented Aug 12, 2015 at 6:45

1 Answer 1

1

You don't have a second clause conjoined with "and" to the first. You have a two-part compound predicate:

(is a scam)1 and (has been exposed)2.

Ordinarily, commas do not separate the two parts of a compound, but leaving out the comma will leave you with a problem of style, what Steven Pinker calls a garden path -- a construct that will mislead the reader, who will see

Your country's moral superiority is a scam and ....

and may expect the second part of a two-part compound object:

Your country's moral superiority is (a scam)1 and (an outrage)2....

instead of the second part of a compound verb. Leaving in the comma is one choice. Another is to rephrase to get around the problem:

Your country's moral superiority is a scam that has been exposed for what it is numerous times".

0

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .