It makes them separate clauses. If it said, renewed for five years or ... it would make it a choice. As it reads it can only be ended after each five year period if a one year notice is given. A clearer way of saying it would have been, "Will be automatically renewed for another five year period unless a written notice of non-renewal is given at least one year prior to end of the current contract." And we complain about $100 eBay communication problems <grin>....
Do not feel bad about your understanding of this, commas are used for many things in English, it is sometimes hard for even an English scholar to figure out just exactly how to use them. Sometimes, as in that contract, they are critically important, at others they are optional. A lot of people think you just use them where you would pause for a breath in speaking. However, that, is, not, a, good, rule, to, go, by, said Tom pantingly. -graywolf Boris Liberman wrote: > I can see the immediate merit of proper grammar and punctuation... > > But then of course the precise reason why that very comma was > interpreted in that very way in the article you posted totally escapes > me. Probably some commas should have been inserted in the previous > message ;-). > > Thanks! > > On 10/26/06, Shel Belinkoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Recently a few messages here "discussed" the value of using good >> punctuation and grammar in email messages. One of the participants made >> comments to the effect that communication via email and on message boards >> and mail lists was not important enough for him to take the time to add >> apostrophes and other forms proper punctuation. >> >> With that thought in mind, imagine finding a very good example of why it >> may be worthwhile to proof read your messages for clarity and intent. >> >> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6383383 >> >> >> Shel >> >> >> >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> PDML@pdml.net >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> > > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
