comma before 'and' [conjunction]: it blows off and the water spatter

[yuva]

<< Topic: Comma >>

Half of the bowl blows off and the water spatter around the room.
Half of the bowl blows off, and the water spatter around the room.

Which is correct and why? Background info, a person take a baseball bat and strikes on a bowl placed on a table.

 

[Cagey]

Half of the bowl blows off and the water spatter around the room.
Half of the bowl blows off, and the water spatter around the room.

Which is correct and why? Background info, a person take a baseball bat and strikes on a bowl placed on a table.

The subject of the first clause is Half of the bowl; the subject of the second clause is the water. When 'and' joins two clauses with separate subjects and verbs, I would use a comma before 'and', as you do in your second example.

(A side note: It should be the water spatters around the room.)

 

[Cenzontle]

I agree that a comma is advisable before the "and" that joins two clauses.
One reason for it is that in some sentences (though not yours), there is a potential danger that the subject of the second clause might be mistaken for an object of the first clause.
Example:
"The principal criticized the teachers and the students complained about the classrooms."
Without a comma after "teachers", there is a brief moment when the reader may think that the principal criticized both the teachers and the students.
Reading the next word, "complained", will correct the error, but it's a slight distraction that can be avoided, with a comma.

 

[e2efour]

I don't see any need for a comma in this sentence since it is not like the one given by Cenzontle.

 

[yuva]

I agree that a comma is advisable before the "and" that joins two clauses.
One reason for it is that in some sentences (though not yours), there is a potential danger that the subject of the second clause might be mistaken for an object of the first clause.
Example:
"The principal criticized the teachers and the students complained about the classrooms."
Without a comma after "teachers", there is a brief moment when the reader may think that the principal criticized both the teachers and the students.
Reading the next word, "complained", will correct the error, but it's a slight distraction that can be avoided, with a comma.

So spatter is used only for solid objects?

 

[Cagey]

No, spatter is the word to use for a liquid, such as water.

You can use shatter for solid objects when they break into small pieces, and the pieces go off in different directions. If someone hit a bowl with a baseball bat, the bowl will probably 'shatter'.

 

[yuva]

Okay, lets say If I replace the bowl with a 'human head', which word should I use "Spatter or shatter or scatter'? I mean can I say "The human brain shatter around the room"?

edited: The reason I am asking this is, when a baseball bat, both solid objects like bones, and liquid 'blood' both scatter around.

No, spatter is the word to use for a liquid, such as water.

You can use shatter for solid objects when they break into small pieces, and the pieces go off in different directions. If someone hit a bowl with a baseball bat, the bowl will probably 'shatter'.

 

[Cagey]

Hello yuva,

We have found that people can give better answers if they can focus on a single topic, so we ask that there be only one question per thread. This thread is about the use of a comma.

If you want to discuss your verb choice, you should start another thread. Include your sentence and explain what you want to say. People tell you whether the verb you have chosen works, or whether another word might be better.