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Homerfarmsby Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Parenthetical Phrases & Comma Placement
If there is a complete (independent) or incomplete (dependent) clause following the parenthetical phrase, we would do this, right?
Do you agree w/the punctuation in every sentence below?
It's been a while and, if I may, I would like to ask a question regarding introductory and interrupting expressions.
I didn't think he would attend the banquet and, quite frankly, I was surprised by that he did.
John Doe said he thought the prices were a little steep and, to be honest with you, they are.
John went to the party and, to be quite blunt, he acted like a buffoon.
SAME AS ABOVE SENTENCE WITH COMMAS? John went to the party and, to be quite blunt, acted like a buffoon.
We can bill you on our customary terms or, if you prefer, we can charge your credit card. (Independent clause follows parenthetical.)
We can bill you on our customary terms or, if you prefer, can charge your credit card. (Dependent clause follows parenthetical.)
I believe that all of the above sentences are punctuated correctly irrespective of whether or not an independent/dependent clause follows the parenthetical. Is this so? Yes or no to all? Which ones would you change with the commas, if wrong?
Thank you.
Do you agree w/the punctuation in every sentence below?
It's been a while and, if I may, I would like to ask a question regarding introductory and interrupting expressions.
I didn't think he would attend the banquet and, quite frankly, I was surprised by that he did.
John Doe said he thought the prices were a little steep and, to be honest with you, they are.
John went to the party and, to be quite blunt, he acted like a buffoon.
SAME AS ABOVE SENTENCE WITH COMMAS? John went to the party and, to be quite blunt, acted like a buffoon.
We can bill you on our customary terms or, if you prefer, we can charge your credit card. (Independent clause follows parenthetical.)
We can bill you on our customary terms or, if you prefer, can charge your credit card. (Dependent clause follows parenthetical.)
I believe that all of the above sentences are punctuated correctly irrespective of whether or not an independent/dependent clause follows the parenthetical. Is this so? Yes or no to all? Which ones would you change with the commas, if wrong?
Thank you.
Top answer
I think a strict prescriptivist would tell you that you need a comma before "and" in the ones that have two independent clauses. However, I think the extra comma will come across as fussy and inhibit rather than aid readability. My rule of "most readable" trumps "comma between two independent clauses joined by a FANBOYS conjunction" in my book, so I'd omit it.
- I think a strict prescriptivist would tell you that you need a comma before "and" in the ones that have two independent clauses.
- However, I think the extra comma will come across as fussy and inhibit rather than aid readability.
- My rule of "most readable" trumps "comma between two independent clauses joined by a FANBOYS conjunction" in my book, so I'd omit it.
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3 Answers
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I think a strict prescriptivist would tell you that you need a comma before "and" in the ones that have two independent clauses.
However, I think the extra comma will come across as fussy and inhibit rather than aid readability. My rule of "most readable" trumps "comma between two independent clauses joined by a FANBOYS conjunction" in my book, so I'd omit it.
However, I think the extra comma will come across as fussy and inhibit rather than aid readability. My rule of "most readable" trumps "comma between two independent clauses joined by a FANBOYS conjunction" in my book, so I'd omit it.
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Hi,
Let me add a small thought.
A comma in writing simply represents a place in speaking where you would naturally want to pause briefly. It can be interesting and useful to consider commas in this way.
eg Your sentence, I didn't think he would attend the banquet and, quite frankly, I was surprised by that he did.
Would you want to pause there
Let me add a small thought.
A comma in writing simply represents a place in speaking where you would naturally want to pause briefly. It can be interesting and useful to consider commas in this way.
eg Your sentence, I didn't think he would attend the banquet and, quite frankly, I was surprised by that he did.
Would you want to pause there
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