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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Two conjunctions
If two conjunctions follow each other, would it be better to place a comma? For instance: He was late, but, since others were also late, the president didn't mind.
Here 'but' is followed immediately by 'since', so I wondered whether a comma after 'but' would provide proper pause. Or, is this just a matter of style?
Here 'but' is followed immediately by 'since', so I wondered whether a comma after 'but' would provide proper pause. Or, is this just a matter of style?
Top answer
Generally, no comma: it slows the flow. And yes, a matter of style. He was late, but since others were also late, the president didn't mind.
- Generally, no comma: it slows the flow.
- And yes, a matter of style.
- He was late, but since others were also late, the president didn't mind.
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3 Answers
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Generally, no comma: it slows the flow. And yes, a matter of style.
He was late, but since others were also late, the president didn't mind.
He was late, but since others were also late, the president didn't mind.
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Thank you. But if it is a conjunction-adverb combination, would a comma sound better? He sat in his chair, and, before long, he began reading the paper. Here, the conjunction 'and' is followed immediately by the adverb 'before long.'
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No. Don't become enamoured of commas. They slow the pace dreadfully. Only use them when absolutely necessary:
He sat in his chair,and before long he began reading the paper.
He sat in his chair,and before long he began reading the paper.
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