Comma usage

Question

Hi all,I'm inclined to delete the comma after the "but" in the following sentence:"But, after a year of tapping into his network for new clients, Ted noticed that something was wrong."It looks awkward, but I'm not sure that the comma is "wrong." Compare to following sentence where comma looks fine:"Slowly, he began to phase out once seemingly necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales."Thanks,Jennifer

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Hi all, I'm inclined to delete the comma after the "but" in the following sentence: "But, after a year of tapping into his network for new clients, Ted noticed that something was wrong."[/nq]
I would leave it out.
[nq:1]It looks awkward, but I'm not sure that the comma is "wrong." Compare to following sentence where comma looks fine: "Slowly, he began to phase out once seemingly necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales."[/nq]
Comma is better here but I would still leave it out.

Stephen
Lennox Head, Australia

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm inclined to delete the comma after the "but" in the following sentence: "But, after a year of tapping into his network for new clients, Ted noticed that something was wrong."[/nq]
You'll find a lot of native anglophones who would omit the comma after "but". I think it's optional and signals a pause in speaking. Skitt probably thinks it's always required we usually disagree on instances like this. I would leave it in there in formal writing, though. It's certainly not incorrect, and it might even be required by the Chicago Manual of Style in a formal essay I don't know because I haven't checked and won't bother checking.
[nq:1]It looks awkward,[/nq]
I think that's because you don't see it as an indication to pause or, perhaps, lengthen the vowel in "but". I don't think it looks awkward at all. I think it tells me to read it differntly from the sentence that omits it.
[nq:1]but I'm not sure that the comma is "wrong."[/nq]
It's not wrong, as I said above.
[nq:1]Compare to following sentence where comma looks fine: "Slowly, he began to phase out once seemingly necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales."[/nq]
This is not a parallel example. "But" is merely a conjunction, not a sentence-modifying adverb of manner, as "slowly" is. Therefore, it doesn't take a comma after it unless what follows is parenthetical, as "after a year of tapping into his network for new clients" is. "Slowly" modifies the entire sentence in this case. To have it modify the verb only, it should come before the verb "began" or before the "to" or before "phase out" anywhere else is stylistically indefensible, I think, except at the end, where it'd be a sentence-modifying adverb again.

Franke: EFL teacher and medical editor
Posting from Taiwan. Unmunged email: /at/hush.ai
It's all in the way you say it, innit?

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hi all, I'm inclined to delete the comma after the "but" in the following sentence: "But, after a year of ... looks fine: "Slowly, he began to phase out once seemingly necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales." Thanks, Jennifer[/nq]
I'd use commas (or dashes) because 'after ... clients' is parenthetical - the sentence makes sense if it's omitted. I'm sure others will disagree.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I'm inclined to delete the comma after the "but" in ... network for new clients, Ted noticed that something was wrong."[/nq]
[nq:1]You'll find a lot of native anglophones who would omit the comma after "but". I think it's optional and signals a pause in speaking. Skitt probably thinks it's always required we usually disagree on instances like this.[/nq]
Actually, I have been chastized for leaving out such a comma. Sure, going by strict rules created long ago, it is required. Yet, as one can see in Dr. Darling's /Guide to Grammar and Writing/, nowadays it is often omitted.
[nq:1]I would leave it in there in formal writing, though. It's certainly not incorrect, and it might even be required by the Chicago Manual of Style in a formal essay I don't know because I haven't checked and won't bother checking.[/nq]
I am not a punctuation expert, so I will quote what Dr. Darling says about things like this:

When a parenthetical element - an interjection, adverbial modifier, or even an adverbial clause - follows a coordinating conjunction used to connect two independent clauses, we do not put a comma in front of the parenthetical element.
The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring. (no comma after "but") The Yankees didn't do so well in the early going, but frankly, everyone expects them to win the season. (no comma after "but") The Tigers spent much of the season at the bottom of the league, and even though they picked up several promising rookies, they expect to be there again next year. (no comma after "and")

and:

Use a comma to set off introductory elements, as in "Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked."
It is permissible to omit the comma after a brief introductory element if the omission does not result in confusion or hesitancy in reading. If there is ever any doubt, use the comma, as it is always correct.

This can be seen at:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Inasmuch as English punctuation rules allow for some variation, there are surely those who disagree with Dr. Darling. Rest assured that there is no one who is infallible in the matter, but some are more fallible than others.
Skitt (in Hayward, California)
http://www.geocities.com/opus731/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Hi all, I'm inclined to delete the comma after the "but" in the following sentence: "But, after a year of ... looks fine: "Slowly, he began to phase out once seemingly necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales." Thanks, Jennifer[/nq]
But, you should avoid starting s entence with 'but'; it's a conjunction.
"Ted had propsered as a used Bible saleman, but after a year of tapping into his network for new clients, he noticed that something was wrong."

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Hi all, I'm inclined to delete the comma after the ... necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales." Thanks, Jennifer[/nq]
[nq:1]But, you should avoid starting s entence with 'but'; it's a conjunction.[/nq]
Why?

THE Entity

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]You'll find a lot of native anglophones who would omit ... always required we usually disagree on instances like this.[/nq]
[nq:1]Actually, I have been chastized for leaving out such a comma. Sure, going by strict rules created long ago, it is required. Yet, as one can see in Dr. Darling's /Guide to Grammar and Writing/, nowadays it is often omitted.[/nq]
[nq:2]I would leave it in there in formal writing, though. ... don't know because I haven't checked and won't bother checking..[/nq]
I don't know about Chicago, but I'd expect that style guides that forbid that comma (such as the one Skitt quoted) outnumber those that require it.

Jerry Friedman

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Actually, I have been chastized for leaving out such a ... /Guide to Grammar and Writing/, nowadays it is often omitted.[/nq]
[nq:1]... I don't know about Chicago, but I'd expect that style guides that forbid that comma (such as the one Skitt quoted) outnumber those that require it.[/nq]
I can't see how it could be forbidden. Forget the pause school: "after a year of tapping into his network for new clients" is clearly parenthetical. It could be written "But (after a year of tapping into his network for new clients) Ted noticed that something was wrong."

Rob Bannister

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Hi all, I'm inclined to delete the comma after the ... necessary expenses to compensate for his lower sales." Thanks, Jennifer[/nq]
[nq:1]But, you should avoid starting s entence with 'but'; it's a conjunction.[/nq]
Wow! I didn't realise that idea had survived the 1940s. I suppose you avoid ending sentences with prepositions too.

Rob Bannister

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]But, you should avoid starting s entence with 'but'; it's a conjunction.[/nq]
[nq:1]Wow! I didn't realise that idea had survived the 1940s. I suppose you avoid ending sentences with prepositions too.[/nq]
I'll bet he doesn't split infinitives. Perhaps he splits no verb phrases at all.
Follow enough of these "rules" and you wake up one day with the realization that you can't write at all.

Bob Lieblich
Anarchy in the pursuit of style is no vice

Comma usage

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