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Prolix Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Use of Commas
Hello everyone,
I would like your opinion on this:
"When a parenthetical element — an interjection, adverbial modifier, or even an adverbial clause — follows a coordinating conjunction used to connect two independent clauses, we do not put a comma in front of the parenthetical element.
From http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
My question: Is it really a rule, or simply just style? I've come across some pieces of writing that do not follow this 'rule'. Grammatically speaking, it seems right to include the comma. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Thanks!
Prolix
I would like your opinion on this:
"When a parenthetical element — an interjection, adverbial modifier, or even an adverbial clause — follows a coordinating conjunction used to connect two independent clauses, we do not put a comma in front of the parenthetical element.
- The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring. [no comma after "but"]
- The Yankees didn't do so well in the early going, but frankly, everyone expects them to win the season. [no comma after "but"]
- The Tigers spent much of the season at the bottom of the league, and even though they picked up several promising rookies, they expect to be there again next year. [no comma after "and"]
From http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
My question: Is it really a rule, or simply just style? I've come across some pieces of writing that do not follow this 'rule'. Grammatically speaking, it seems right to include the comma. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Thanks!
Prolix
Top answer
I always have difficulties with punctuating sentences like this. , The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring. This makes "but of course" look like a parenthetical phrase when it is not.
- I always have difficulties with punctuating sentences like this.
- , The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring.
- This makes "but of course" look like a parenthetical phrase when it is not.
- A comma after "but" is logical but can seem slightly fussy; the other option is to delete the comma after "of course".
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3 Answers
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I always have difficulties with punctuating sentences like this. I do not like their suggestion of, e.g.,
The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring.
This makes "but of course" look like a parenthetical phrase when it is not. A comma after "but" is logical but can seem slightly fussy; the other option is to delete the c
The Red Sox were leading the league at the end of May, but of course, they always do well in the spring.
This makes "but of course" look like a parenthetical phrase when it is not. A comma after "but" is logical but can seem slightly fussy; the other option is to delete the c
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prolix Is it really a rule, or simply just style?It is just style. It's a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't, as so often happens. GPY is right—the single comma makes "but of course" sound like mais oui—but in the other one, the extra comma is like machete work: "The Yankees didn't do so well in the early going, but, frankly, everyone expect
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