More Grammar Help Please?

Question

The rule: If an adverbial clause is not essential to the meaning of a main clause, then separate the two with a comma.

So is the following sentence correct, even though a sentence structured in form of IC DC doesn't require a comma: I didn't buy any bread, as I am very poor.

*IC being independent clause
*DC being dependent clause

Answer 1

My problem with the sentence is that I believe the clause is an essential clause, and hence no comma required. It's an essential part of the thought.

Often the main part of the problem is deciding if a clause is essential or nonessential. That may be difficult, and the exact same sentence may have two different meanings depending on that choice. For example:

I talked to Fred, who lives in Ohio. Pretty simple - you talked to some guy named Fred, and the Ohio part is just added information. Now:

I talked to Fred who lives in Ohio. Same words, just no comma. This one means you talked to a specific Fred, Fred in Ohio, and not Fred in Iowa or Fred in Utah. You've been talking or writing about all three Freds, and you phrase it this way to differentiate.

Over many years of writing, the best results with commas in instances such as these seem to come by ear. If you are speaking or reading and a natural pause, however slight, occurs at the transition point between two clauses, use a comma.

Answer 2

These are ridiculously tricky, but you're correct. In this case "as I am very poor" is nonessential to the meaning, you would need the comma.

Answer 3

the hot technology of yankee youngsters isn't being taught grammar as a direction. the college gadget expects the toddlers to %. it up themselves by using ability of analyzing textbooks and listening in school. are you able to tell it became a bad concept to take grammar training out of the lecture room?