Rules for using commas

Question

Hi all,

Just a quick question regarding the rules of usage of commas in particular sentences.

This may seem simple, but something I've never really understood.

In what instances should commas be used when using the word 'and'. Sometimes I have seen a comma before and after writing and, and wonder is there a specific rule for this usage. I understand the differences in the oxford comma versus the other type of comma (can't think of its name)

In this sentence, for example, is this correct (please see highlighted text):

X is a company I have always aspired to work for; it is known within the industry as being an excellent employer offering a wealth of benefits and experience for employees, and, being an industry driver one can expect to learn a great deal whilst working in such a successful, highly regulated GMP environment.

Thanks in advance,

Maria.

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

The part of the sentence that you are asking about is faulty. "being an industry driver one can expect..." means that one is an industry driver, whereas you presumably mean that the employer is an industry driver.

That aside, as far as the punctuation is concerned:

This is wrong: "... and experience for employees, and, being an industry driver one can expect to ..."

This is OK: "... and experience for employees, and being an industry driver one can expect to ..."

This is OK: "... and experience for employees, and, being an industry driver, one can expect to ..."

Curiousgirl · Answer

Hi Mr Wordy,

Thanks for your response.

I was the anonymous poster posing the original question, I forgot my password - had to go back to my excel worksheet of all the passwords and pin-numbers I use for the numerous sites I visit!

Think this is my first post under this username, so hi!

Anyway, back to the topic...

I didn't realise that using one was incorrect in the first part, I meant the sentence to mean I would gain experience from the company, as it is an industry driver. Seems I have a lot more to learn about grammar...

Many thanks from across the pond (Ireland)

Mr Wordy · Answer

curiousgirlI didn't realise that using one was incorrect in the first part, I meant the sentence to mean I would gain experience from the company, as it is an industry driver.

"one" is not incorrect. The incorrect part is the modifying phrase "being an industry driver". It is fairly obviously intended to refer to the company, but grammatically it refers to "one". It is a typical case of a "dangling participle" or "dangling modifier"; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangling_modifier

Curiousgirl · Answer

Thanks for the link. I'll have a proper look at it when I get home from work.

Rules for using commas

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