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#2 (permalink) Sat Jan 07, 2012 13:31 pm Is the word order in this sentence correct? |
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It is a run-on sentence. You are right that some punctuation is needed after "fridge". You might get away with a comma, but I think I prefer a dash:
"I thought there were some eggs in the fridge -- enough to bake a cake." |
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Dozy I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Posts: 3315 Location: UK
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#3 (permalink) Sat Jan 07, 2012 14:28 pm Is the word order in this sentence correct? |
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Now, I've googled "run-on" and read about it. Dozy, could it be said that in a run-on sentence always exist two clauses and the latter one can be treated as a misplaced modifier that can not be put in the sentence on the right place. We must use a comma, dash, semicolon, conjunction or start a new sentence what could be the best actually.
So, if I've got it, in this sentence:
1. The comma wouldn't work.
2. I thought there were some eggs in the fridge - enough to bake a cake. ~ Not good enough
3. I thought there were some eggs in the fridge; Enough to bake a cake. ~ better but still not good enough
4. I thought there were some eggs in the fridge. Enough to bake a cake. ~ better
5. At last please let me know if it could be possible to use a conjunction in this example. If it is possible my choice would be "I thought there were some eggs in the fridge, some, but enough to bake a cake."
Finally, please let me know what it could be the best option in such case.
Thanks |
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E2e4 I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 1229
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#4 (permalink) Sat Jan 07, 2012 15:19 pm Is the word order in this sentence correct? |
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1, As Dozy has already said, you could get away with a comma. The use of a comma could possibly be improved further by adding 'at least': I thought there were some eggs in the fridge, at least enough to bake a cake. However, as with the original, the m dash would appear to be the best option: I thought there were some eggs in the fridge -- at least enough to bake a cake.
2. You will often see the hyphen used instead of the m dash. I would say the vast majority of English speakers do so. Unless the writing is extremely formal, it is usually accepted as good enough, even though it is not perfectly correct.
3. Not better at all, because you have capitalised 'enough'. Without that error it would be acceptable.
4. Not good. Your second sentence does not stand alone well.
5. Your example is grammatically incorrect. See my use of 'at least' in (1). _________________ Cheers m' dears! |
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Beeesneees Language Coach

Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 20465 Location: UK, born and bred
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#5 (permalink) Sat Jan 07, 2012 20:37 pm Is the word order in this sentence correct? |
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| In the case of #2, I would draw a distinction between people who type a hyphen instead of a dash because they don't know the difference, and people who type a hyphen instead of a dash because they don't know how to enter a dash, or it's awkward to do so, or the system they are using does not support the dash. The former is not good; the latter may be tolerable. |
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Dozy I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Posts: 3315 Location: UK
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#6 (permalink) Sat Jan 14, 2012 23:58 pm Is the word order in this sentence correct? |
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Could this way be possible?
I thought there were some, enough to bake a cake, eggs in the fridge.
Thanks |
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E2e4 I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 01 Jan 2011 Posts: 1229
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#7 (permalink) Sun Jan 15, 2012 0:45 am Is the word order in this sentence correct? |
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| E2e4 wrote: |
Could this way be possible?
I thought there were some, enough to bake a cake, eggs in the fridge. |
No, it feels very awkward. |
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Dozy I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Posts: 3315 Location: UK
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| Think of any number between 1-10 in your mind | don't better/ had better not/ Help me out on this one please. |