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Is the following sentence a correct usage of yet?

I'm someone like you, and yet like no one.

I think it matches the last definition of OAAD, more importantly. But I also think the comma and and could be omitted, am I right?

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I'm closevoting as General Reference because I think this question is simply too basic. –  FumbleFingers Jan 22 '13 at 14:33
@F: I disagree that the Q's too basic, but I agree that it should be closed, but because the Q's not a real Q. The OPs asking about punctuation and grammar when the sentence is meaningless. That contraindicates a Q about punctuation and grammar. –  user21497 Jan 22 '13 at 14:49
-1 It doesn't match the 7th definition: different syntax. The sentence is meaningless; therefore, the question isn't even a question. To match the 7th definition, the sentence would have to be "I'm someone like you and yet not like you (or anyone else)". I vote to close unless the sentence is edited and the question rewritten. I suggest that the OP delete the question. –  user21497 Jan 22 '13 at 14:53
Wrong OAAD definition: it's "yet" (conjunction): OAAD –  MετάEd Jan 22 '13 at 15:13
@Bill: I think the presence or absence of the comma and/or the word and are both just stylistic choices, not matters of "grammatical correctness". As for the question in the title (is it a correct usage of “yet”?), that's been asked and closed as GR previously. OP has misunderstood OAAD's definition of "yet more". The only thing left here is the fact that semantically, OP's example is [at least bordering on] meaningless. If you think it can be salvaged, why not edit the Q accordingly? –  FumbleFingers Jan 22 '13 at 17:25
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closed as general reference by FumbleFingers, Bill Franke, Barrie England, MετάEd, cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 Jan 22 '13 at 16:16


1 Answer

The comma must stay. The and can go.



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Without a comma, it becomes incomprehensible. "I'm someone like you and yet like no one." That just doesn't scan. –  David Schwartz Jan 22 '13 at 14:39
Whether there's a comma or an and or both or neither, the sentence is ungrammatical and incomprehensible. Presumably, this sentence wants to say that the speaker/writer is like the listener/reader, & yet the speaker/writer is unique & therefore really like no one else. It should be "I'm someone like you, yet not like you (or anyone else)." It's pointless to toss grammar-rule breadcrumbs at semantically empty utterances. –  user21497 Jan 22 '13 at 14:44
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