Commas when additional information is added to a sentence

Question

Dear Staff, I am having a terrible time with the following sentence:"God's Grace is heavy on the hearts of all now and, therefore, the labors in this harvest, by mine, become easier and easier."
Will you please help me. Should there be a comma on both sides of "by Mine" (as it appears above), and if so why? Please let me know if there is anything else wrong within the sentence. For example, should there be a comma between the words "now" and "and"? (ie) "hearts of all now, and therefore, the labors..."?

Thank you so much, Chris

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the query.

We don't really have 'staff'. We are just a group of volunteers.

Before commenting, let me first ask you this. If you said this sentence aloud, where would you naturally feel like you wanted to pause?

Best wishes, Clive

C Williams · Answer

Clive, thank you for your quick reply.

I would pause between "now" and "and" because I read it as a complete thought/sentence. I would also take a shorter pause at "therefore", because I read it as an insertion - not necessary perhaps. I would put a comma on either side of the word "therefore" also. The sentence would read:

"***'s Grace is heavy on the hearts of all now; and, therefore, the labors in this harvest, by mine, become easier and easier."

I have read however, that unless there is a comma in the first clause, you do not put a semi-colon before the word "and" - you can remove the word "and" and use the semi-colon, or use either the word "and", or the semi-colon. In the above sentence, I think there are two clauses and I can go ahead and use a semi-colon? However, I have a tendency to pause and use comas, or semi-colons, too often. In the past I have used the semi-colon or comma with the word "and". I am having a problem breaking myself of the habit, I think.

Thank you for your help, Chris

Clive · Answer

Hi,

I would pause between "now" and "and" because I read it as a complete thought/sentence. I would also take a shorter pause at "therefore", because I read it as an insertion - not necessary perhaps. I would put a comma on either side of the word "therefore" also. The sentence would read:

"***'s Grace is heavy on the hearts of all now; and, therefore, the labors in this harvest, by mine, become easier and easier." These all seem like valid choices to me.

I have read however, that unless there is a comma in the first clause, you do not put a semi-colon before the word "and" - you can remove the word "and" and use the semi-colon, or use either the word "and", or the semi-colon. Yes, this is the common view. A semi-colon is used instead of a period, to show a close connection between two separate sentences, while 'and' is not usually seen as a valid away to start a separate sentence. I suggest that you either drop the 'and', or use a comma instead of a semi-colon.

In the above sentence, I think there are two clauses and I can go ahead and use a semi-colon? However, I have a tendency to pause and use comas, or semi-colons, too often. In the past I have used the semi-colon or comma with the word "and". I am having a problem breaking myself of the habit, I think.

I don't understan what 'mine' refers to, so I can't really comment on that part.

Clive

Commas when additional information is added to a sentence

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