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Commas that count: Necessary commas
Ah, the comma. Doesn’t every wordsmith have some tiny wrinkles, etched somewhere in the mid-brow region, because of this capricious mark? Nearly everyone has questions about the comma. Should we use a comma with and? What about after an introductory element? Is the comma even necessary today? Or is it a quaint, old-fashioned remnant of an era when readers had time to savour sentences, to pause between ideas instead of rushing madly onward, scanning for content before tackling the next task, as we so often do now? It’s true that modern writers use commas more sparingly than their forebears. Pick up a novel by, say, Jane Austen. Open it to any page and you’ll see them—dozens of commas, swarming through sentences like ants through spilled syrup. But things are different today. Today our commas, like our technology, like our workplaces, like our very lives, are streamlined and economical, designed for speed and efficiency, not for lingering and reflection. Still, some commas are as necessary today as ever. Properly placed commas enable readers to follow ideas and interpret meaning. Moreover, they prevent misreading. In the sentence Lynn, Massachusetts is an excellent location for our new headquarters, the omission of the comma after Massachusetts makes us think the author is assuring Lynn that Massachusetts is a great location. The key to understanding the modern comma is to know when it’s required and when it’s not. This is no easy task; the guidelines for this minuscule mark fill dozens of pages in some texts. Thankfully, Sheridan Baker, in his fifth edition of The Practical Stylist (1981), divides necessary commas into just four categories: The introducer: after an introductory clause or phrase The coordinator: between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) The inserter: a pair around an inserted word or remark The linker: when adding a word, phrase or clause to the main sentence The introducer When the introductory element is a clause, the decision is easy: use a comma. (Remember, a clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.) After the hospital had completed its fundraising campaign, an anonymous donor contributed an additional $300,000. (introductory adverbial clause) With an introductory phrase, the decision is harder. (A phrase is a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a verb.) If the phrase is relatively long, use a comma. From the east wall to the west, the "dream cottage" advertised in the real estate brochure measured just twenty feet. (long prepositional phrase) If the phrase is short and naturally flows into what follows, do not use a comma. By midnight my new boyfriend was slavering and baying at the moon. (short prepositional phrase that flows on) If the phrase is short but does not naturally flow into what follows, use a comma to show the separation. A comma is particularly important after an introductory participial phrase—one that contains the present participle (-ing form) or the past participle (-ed or irregular form) of a verb. Seeing his transformation, I wanted to flee like the wind. (participial phrase) Paralyzed by fear, I stood transfixed while my hirsute companion lumbered forward, wild-eyed and hungry. (participial phrase) Despite his fangs, I still thought my date was kind of cute. (phrase does not flow naturally into what follows) Fearful yet curious, I debated what to do. (phrase does not flow naturally into what follows) The introducer may also appear after an introductory word that does not flow directly into the rest of the sentence, such as a sentence adverb (an adverb that modifies the entire sentence rather than just one word in it). Fortunately, I still had the leftover rare steak I had taken away from our lavish dinner together, so I threw it in his path to distract him. (introductory adverb) The coordinator Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses (clauses that can stand as full sentences). Remember to put the comma before the conjunction, not after. René wrapped the fresh fish in three layers of newspaper, but his van still smelled like trout for the next week. (two independent clauses) If the independent clauses are short and closely related, it is preferable to omit the comma. He chose the restaurant and she chose the movie. (short, related independent clauses) It’s important to check that the coordinating conjunction is really joining two independent clauses and not two phrases. The dog whipped his head around and caught the Frisbee between his teeth. (two phrases) The inserter Think of the two commas around insertions as detour signs: the first tells you where the detour begins, the second where it ends. Margaret Atwood’s first novel, Surfacing, contains many themes and images that run through the author’s later works. (insertion) Sometimes it’s hard to decide if a group of words is a true insertion. An insertion interrupts, meaning you can usually remove it without changing the sentence’s main message. The grammatical term for an interrupting element is non-restrictive. A non-restrictive element must be set off with a pair of commas. The bingo employees, who had finished their work, went home for the day. (main message: the employees went home for the day) A restrictive element, on the other hand, does not interrupt the message; it is integral to it. Restrictive elements are not set off with commas. The bingo employees who had finished their work went home for the day. (main message: only the employees who had finished their work went home) The linker Use a comma whenever you link extra (often non-restrictive) information to the main sentence. The added information often provides elaboration. My sister loves low-budget horror movies from the fifties and sixties, especially those featuring killer vegetables from outer space. (added phrase) The sea was like a boiling cauldron, even though the wind had abated hours earlier. (added clause) Commas also link elements in a list or series. Nathan took a radio, a hair dryer, the latest Vanity Fair and a canister of pepper spray on his first wilderness camping trip. (items in a list) Should there be a comma before and in a list? It’s a perennial question, one that authorities differ on. The bottom line—either approach is acceptable, though the modern tendency is to omit the comma unless it’s needed to prevent misreading. Eileen’s favourite sandwiches are tuna, watercress, ham, and cheese and bacon. (comma required before and for clarity) A pause for reflection Knowing when we need commas is only one navigation point; knowing when we don’t is another. Between the two lies a vast and bewildering territory where comma use is subjective, dependent on such vagaries as authorial intent, emphasis and personal taste. So understanding the principles of necessary commas likely won’t erase our wrinkles (we’re not talking Botox here). But it may relax them, somewhat. Related quiz Test yourself—Commas that count: Necessary commasSource : Peck’s English Pointers (articles et exercices sur la langue anglaise)
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Commas that clutter: Unnecessary commas
One of the best sentences in Strunk and White’s popular writing guide, The Elements of Style, is this: "A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts." I would go further: a sentence should contain no unnecessary commas for the same reason that a symphony should have no unnecessary pauses. True, commas add rhythm, and more importantly clarity, to our writing. But, if we use too many, of them, our writing becomes difficult, for people, to read, and our ideas end up fragmented, instead of connected. For years participants in my grammar and writing workshops have magnanimously imparted their golden rule for commas: use a comma whenever you would take a breath. And for years I have regretfully but pointedly burst their bubble. That simple rule, which so many have clung to since their tender years, works occasionally (even often, if you’re a speechwriter or playwright), but it also gives rise to the superfluous commas that pollute our prose, bobbing up disconcertingly like plastic bottles in the ocean. While comma use is sometimes a matter of personal taste, there are certain places where this mark does not belong. Grammatical bonds What grammar hath joined together, let no comma put asunder. Don’t let a comma split the grammatical bond between a subject and its verb, a verb and its object (or its subject complement, if it’s a linking verb like to be) or a preposition and its object, even if you think a pause is in order. NO All duly registered members of this exclusive English equestrian club, are permitted unlimited access to the club’s stables and pubs. (splitting subject and verb) NO The mugger was stunned to find that the elegant businessman had in his pockets, only three dollars and half a liverwurst sandwich. (splitting verb and object) NO The only thing the lottery winners wanted was, to live their lives as they had before becoming millionaires. (splitting verb and subject complement) NO We mailed illustrated concert programs to, every symphony subscriber and every music store in town. (splitting preposition and object) Note that it is perfectly acceptable to interrupt these grammatical unions with a parenthetical element and a pair of commas. YES The mugger was stunned to find that the elegant businessman had in his pockets, besides a soiled handkerchief, only three dollars and half a liverwurst sandwich. Coordinating conjunctions As explained in "Commas That Count," the coordinator is a comma that precedes a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that is joining two independent clauses. Be sure to put the comma before the conjunction, not after it. NO The Green Party backbencher asked her question three times, but, the cabinet minister still refused to answer directly. (remove comma after but) When the elements joined by a coordinating conjunction are something other than independent clauses, it’s best to dispense with the comma (though see "Bending the rules" at the end of this article). NO After Tiffany got Leonardo DiCaprio’s autograph, but before she could look at it, she fainted cold at the star’s feet. (conjunction joins two dependent clauses) NO Fluffy white cumulus clouds, and clear autumn air made it a perfect day to stay inside and watch TV. (conjunction joins two phrases) Restrictive elements A restrictive element is the opposite of a parenthetical element. It is a word or group of words, usually descriptive, that is necessary to the sentence because it defines or limits (restricts) the word it describes. Do not use commas with restrictive elements. NO The soup tureen, from the antique shop, was actually less expensive than the one I saw at the neighbourhood flea market. (element is restrictive, not parenthetical) To test whether an element is restrictive, try omitting it from the sentence. If the sentence’s main message is no longer clear, the element is restrictive. If the main message is fine, the element is parenthetical. NO Bob Dylan wrote the ballad, "The Wedding Song," in 1974. (can’t omit the element; it is restrictive) YES Bob Dylan’s first wife, Sara, left him soon after he wrote "The Wedding Song" for her. (can omit the element; it is parenthetical) Series Commas between items in a series stand for the word and. Do not place a comma before the first item or after the last, since you can’t use and in either spot. NO The developers received passionate pleas and lengthy petitions from, store owners, local residents, and area building managers. (remove first comma) NO The children waved flags, beat on toy drums, and blew noisemakers, as the parade passed by. (remove last comma) Remember that the comma before and in a series is optional. And with a series of modifiers? Therein lies a bewildering comma conundrum: sometimes you need commas; sometimes you don’t. The decision depends on whether the modifiers are coordinate or cumulative. Coordinate modifiers all independently modify the same word. You can rearrange their order and insert the word and between them. A series of coordinate modifiers requires commas. YES She is a careful, conscientious, knowledgeable editor. YES The caterers prepared an array of rich, colourful, tasty sweets for the buffet. Cumulative modifiers do not separately and equally modify the word they appear with. Instead, they build or lean upon one another. You cannot change their order or insert and between them. A series of cumulative modifiers takes no commas. YES She is a bilingual copy editor. YES The caterers prepared a vegetarian bean soup for the buffet. To complicate matters, a series may include both coordinate and cumulative modifiers. But if you apply the dual test of rearranging and inserting and, you should get the commas right. YES She is a skilled bilingual copy editor. (one coordinate modifier) YES She is an underpaid, skilled bilingual copy editor. (two coordinate modifiers) Bending the rules Punctuation is like any art: once you have mastered the principles, you can bend them. It’s fine to depart from the comma rules from time to time—if you have a good reason. For clarity: The question is, will he be able to compete in the Iron Man race and publish his book of haiku verse before he turns forty? (comma between verb and subject complement) For emphasis: He embraced her once again, and then walked out the door forever. (comma with coordinating conjunction joining two phrases) For rhythm: The parched hiker felt the hot sweet juicy trickle of the orange run down her throat. (commas omitted with coordinate adjectives) George Bernard Shaw once said, "The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." That’s pretty much what I tell my workshop participants as I strip away their lifelong illusions about commas and breathing. Instead of one golden rule, we have many plastic ones—but that’s far more practical, especially if we plan to break one now and again. Related quiz Test yourself—Commas that clutter: Unnecessary commasSource : Peck’s English Pointers (articles et exercices sur la langue anglaise)
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Test yourself—Commas that clutter: Unnecessary commas
Decide whether or not a comma is required where indicated. Read the article Commas that clutter: Unnecessary commas to help you out.1. Tara decided she could save at least two hundred dollars a month[ ] by taking a lunch from home instead of eating in restaurants.no comma requiredcomma (,)2. British Columbia, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan[ ] are the three provinces my uncle has never visited.no comma requiredcomma (,)3. Everyone[ ] holding tickets to the 7:00 p.m. showing of the Rolling Stones movie should move to the front of the line.no comma requiredcomma (,)4. The long[ ] involved discussions of new statistical theories were dry and uninspiring to many of the seminar participants.no comma requiredcomma (,)5. Inventing vegetarian recipes[ ] and eating burgers are two of his favourite activities.no comma requiredcomma (,)6. Maybe Lucy could give Ricky a lift[ ] before she goes back to town.no comma requiredcomma (,)7. George and Marie stared in horror at the scratch running down the side of their new[ ] red Mercedes convertible.no comma requiredcomma (,)8. Our knees shaking and our stomachs in knots, Yvette and I slowly opened the huge[ ] oak door.no comma requiredcomma (,)Source : Peck’s English Pointers (articles et exercices sur la langue anglaise)
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Test yourself—More questions from the inbox
Is the sentence correct or does it contain a problem? Read the article More questions from the inbox to help you out.1. “Cities would be a lot friendlier,” said Jeb, “if they had less people in them.”is correcthas a problem2. There looked to be at least nine students stuffed into the Volkswagen Beetle inexplicably parked on the roof of the administration building.is correcthas a problem3. Having moved away at 12, Rashida’s hometown no longer seemed familiar.is correcthas a problem4. Chuckling contentedly to herself, the baby spattered the opposite wall with applesauce.is correcthas a problem5. The bitter critic who writes for our newspaper belittles any movie made in Hollywood and gives fewer glowing reviews than anyone else in the business.is correcthas a problem6. The security guard’s walk across the lawn, down to the river and along the bicycle path to the stone archway, took him through most of the property under his care.is correcthas a problemSource : Peck’s English Pointers (articles et exercices sur la langue anglaise)
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