Comma Usage when using 'and'

Question

I am rather confused about this. I've made up this sentence so that people can get a better idea. So please don't comment on the sentence itself (on how it can be changed etc., that's not the point), but only on whether the comma usage.

It occurred to him that the man had left, and, ergo, he too left.

Now about the comma...must there be one before as well as after ergo (or any other word)? There has to be one after ergo, but must there be one before it? I am not talking about this sentence alone, but sentences like this in general. For instance: It was raining throughtout the year, and, therefore, the crops were destroyed.

Andriy Lapin · Accepted Answer

Dear friend,

careful analysis of the patterns of usage of ergo reveals that it is separated by commas fore and aft when followed by a clause, as in your case. A similar example can be:

Neither side would have an incentive to start a war. Ergo, peace would reign.

However, when it is followed by a phrase rather than a clause, the comma after ergo is absent:

She was the sole beneficiary of the will, ergo the prime suspect.

Roughly the same conlusions can be drawn from observing how therefore is used:

He was injured and therefore unable to play. (followed by a phrase)

Those people have their umbrellas up: therefore, it must be raining. (followed by a clause)

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks. Perhaps, I didn't make myself clear. I just gave ergo and therefore as examples. I just want to know what to do generally when there is a comma and coordinating conjuction like and, but etc. Normally, the conjunction is preceded by a comma. That's simple. But in cases where you have comma, conjunction, and adverb (in that order), what is one to do?

He went to the place, but it was closed. (This is relatively straightfoward, comma precedes conjunction).

He decided to go all the way to his friend's house, and, as soon as he arrived, he knocked on the door.
He decided to go all the way to his friend's house, but, as soon as he arrived, he found the house locked.

In the above (and sentences like the above), is it advisable to have comma before and after the conjunction, in this case and and but? Will it make the sentence sound better that way with proper pause and all?

Andriy Lapin · Answer

Dear friend,

He decided to go all the way to his friend's house, and, as soon as he arrived, he knocked on the door. - I suggest that we analyse this sentence to gain a deerer understanding:

1. Is the comma before and required? - It certainly is, for the comma separates the clauses of a compound sentence connected by a coordinating conjunction, such as and, but, or, nor, etc. However, this rule may not be observed when two short and closely associated clauses are in question, as in:

Tim cooked and I cleaned.

2. Let us now consider the following clause: As soon as he arrived, he knocked on the door. The more mobile the clause element is, the more likely it is to be followed by a comma. In our example as soon as he arrived may be placed at the end of the clause, so it is quite movable. Additionally, all subordinate clauses positioned at the beginning of the sentence are likely to be separated by a comma. Therefore, it is required after the clause.

3. You are specifically concerned with a punctuation (if any) before the adverbial, but this clause element may have different forms (ranging from single words to clauses), so there can be no one versatile straightforward answer. Anyway, let me continue with the example you mention, in which the adverbial element is manifested by a clause. The sentence in question is a compound-complex sentence. It is the result of combining the two following sentences:

He decided to go all the way to his friend's house. (simple sentence)

+
As soon as he arrived, he knocked on the door. (complex sentence)

During the transition from a series of sentences to one compound-complex sentence, the essential structure of the original parts should be preserved. Thus, if we write

He decided to go all the way to his friend's house, and as soon as he arrived, he knocked on the door.

we, perhaps unbeknowst to ourselves, merge the subordinate clause beginning with as soon as... with a conjunction, whose 'independency' should be clearly shown by putting a comma after it. Another example from Oxford Companion to English Language illustrates this:

Road-building in those mountains is dangerous and, since work began in 1968, hundreds of labourers have been swept away by landslides.

Finally, please note that such transitional expression as of course, however, therefore, etc. should be set off by commas only if they require a pause in reading or speaking:

All of the passengers, of course, were transferred to another bus.

If such words do not require a pause, they also do not require a comma:

Of course you may come!

In summa: using a comma is advisable both before and after the conjunction. Proper pausation would also be appreciated.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks again for the detailed explanation. Does it work the same way when we have two successive conjunctions? Such as: He wanted to go, but, since he was poor, he couldn't afford it.

Here, 'but' is followed by 'since.' So I am wondering whether my comma usage here is correct.

Andriy Lapin · Answer

Dear friend,

AnonymousDoes it work the same way when we have two successive conjunctions? Such as: He wanted to go, but, since he was poor, he couldn't afford it.

- the rule in this case is positively unequivocal. The answer is: yes, it does.

Your understanding of punctuation goes hand in hand with the recommendations set out in Webster's New World Punctuation and other highly authoritative sources. However, if you feel doubtful about any aspects of punctuation, it is better to deal with them systematically. A good choice can be Punctuation: Plain and Simple. In case you take interest in the subtleties of punctuation, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves would be an invaluable companion.

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the explanations and recommendations. You've been a good, patient friend.

Andriy Lapin · Answer

Thanks for an interesting question, dear friend. If only I knew your name...

Respectfully, Gleb Chebrikoff

Comma Usage when using 'and'

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