Comma Rules
Dear Forum,
I understand that commas can be used to seperate two independent clauses, like so:
I like ben, and ben likes me.
That's fine--the rule is simple enough. But I see instances all the time where writers use commas in this same sense, but the second clause is not independent: the subject is normally missing. And this practise is oft cited as being erroneous, yet competent authors appear to breach the rule.
To take an extract sentence from "The Sense of Style", by Steven Pinker, as an example, he writes:
I rework every sentence a few times before going on to the next, and revise the whole chapter two or three times. (Chapter 3, pg. 76)
Why is the comma there? The string of words following the comma is not an independent clause. If "I" were inserted between the comma and "and", it would be okay, but it doesn't feature. I highly doubt that Pinker has muddles his comma usage...
Please can someone clear this up for me.
Thanks
Top answer
On the one hand, far be it for me to argue with Steven Pinker, but well, I'm going to. That comma shouldn't be there. We have a compound verb, and there is no reason to have a comma there.
- On the one hand, far be it for me to argue with Steven Pinker, but well, I'm going to.
- That comma shouldn't be there.
- We have a compound verb, and there is no reason to have a comma there.
- I rework every sentence a few times before going on to the next and revise the whole chapter two or three times.
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On the one hand, far be it for me to argue with Steven Pinker, but well, I'm going to.
That comma shouldn't be there. We have a compound verb, and there is no reason to have a comma there.
I rework every sentence a few times before going on to the next and revise the whole chapter two or three times.
0The rule you are citing is too simplistic. Realistically, no-one is likely to say that what Pinker is doing is wrong.
One of several additional factors to consider is the length of the sentence. Such a comma often helps make a long sentence easier to read and understand
Clive
0Such a comma is permissible if it aids the reader. I think Pinker is well within his rights here, because without it, you would be tempted to think he was going to add something more about his sentences. He blazed the trail for us. It is a subtle one. A more blatant example is the one in The Chicago Manual of Style: "She recognized the man who entered the room, and gasped."
0
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