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Victo Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Comma after 'That'

I see many writers use a comma after 'that' in sentences like these:


1. Joe said that, in 1974, his parents moved to Russia.

2. Please be advised that, on this date in 2001, life in America changed forever.

3. Lou said that, despite the circumstances involved, he is going through with the divorce.


If you remove the phrases set off by commas, the sentences still make sense—e.g. Joe said that his parents moved to Russia.


Should commas be used after 'that' in each sentence, yes or no? If no, are there any cases in which we would place a comma after 'that' in a sentence to enhance readability?


Thanks.
  

Top answer

The commas in #1 and #3 suggest that the isolated phrases are not part of the reported speech but information added by the reporter. The commas in #2 are optional. Their job is to make phrases parenthetical, not to enhance readability.

— RandomGuy

  • The commas in #1 and #3 suggest that the isolated phrases are not part of the reported speech but information added by the reporter.
  • The commas in #2 are optional.
  • Their job is to make phrases parenthetical, not to enhance readability.
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3 Answers
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The commas in #1 and #3 suggest that the isolated phrases are not part of the reported speech but information added by the reporter. The commas in #2 are optional.

Their job is to make phrases parenthetical, not to enhance readability.
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Yeah, but in any regard, the commas do work effectively in each, no? They certainly don't hurt.
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victoThey certainly don't hurt.
I suppose not.
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