Writing Tips
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Comma (with coordinate conjunction)
This use of the comma is simple. If a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or) connects two independent clauses, insert a comma before the conjunction:
I prefer classical music, but Wilbur likes jazz.
I picked blackberries, and Alphonso went swimming.
When there is no coordinate conjunction between two independent clauses, punctuate with a semicolon, never a comma.
I picked blackberries; Alphonso went swimming.
I prefer classical music; Wilbur likes jazz.
Or, when you’ve got two independent clauses and no conjunction between them, you could use a period instead of a semicolon. If you do, be aware that you are promoting the independent clauses to sentences:
I picked blackberries. Alphonso went swimming.
I prefer classical music. Wilbur likes jazz.
What’s the difference? Emphasis. Degree of independence.
Cheers,
Tara Treasurefield
Tara’s Writing Studio
Comma (be aware of the verb)
Here’s an intriguing example of when not to use a comma:
The secret pact that had saved them in their turbulent adolescent years, could spell his doom now.
Do you see the problem? The comma interrupts the flow of the sentence by popping up right before the verb phrase, “could spell his doom.” The sentence should read like this:
The secret pact that had saved them in their turbulent adolescent years could spell his doom.
Cheers,
Tara Treasurefield
Tara’s Writing Studio
Comma (not)
The Copyeditor’s Handbook author Amy Einsohn offers a clear and simple rule for one of the cases in which a comma is not appropriate:
Do not insert a comma between a subject and the second member of a compound predicate.
An example follows.
They spent every cent that came in, and piled up hefty credit card debt on top of it.
The compound predicate is “spent every cent” and “piled up hefty credit card debt.” It should read like this:
They spent every cent that came in and piled up hefty credit card debt on top of it.
Cheers,
Tara Treasurefield
Tara’s Writing Studio
Comma (and restrictive vs. nonrestrictive clause)
In a previous post, I wrote that using a comma after an introductory dependent clause is standard practice, no thinking required. To refresh your memory, here’s a sentence that begins with an introductory dependent clause:
If you’d like to go to Europe next summer, let’s get together and make some plans!
Things aren’t quite so simple when the dependent clause follows an opening independent clause; in this case, the determining factor for the use of a comma is whether the dependent clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive.
According to the Chicago Manual of Style, a restrictive dependent clause is one that is “essential to the meaning of the main clause.” It shouldn’t be preceded by a comma. Following are two examples:
I’ll attend the conference if you will. [The restrictive dependent clause is "if you will."]
Andrew was thrilled when he heard about her new book. [The restrictive dependent clause is "when he heard about her new book."]
On the other hand, says Chicago, a nonrestrictive dependent clause “is merely supplementary” and should be preceded by a comma:
I have already made my reservation, if that interests you. [The nonrestrictive dependent clause is "if that interests you."]
People whose thoughts are mostly positive are happier than people whose thoughts are mostly negative, if you want my opinion. [The nonrestrictive dependent clause is "if you want my opinion."]
But what if you really can’t tell if a dependent clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive? In that case, Chicago advises using the comma.
Cheers,
Tara Treasurefield
Tara’s Writing Studio
Comma (after dependent clause)
As a general rule, use a comma when a dependent clause precedes an independent clause.
The sentence above is an example of the rule it describes!
“As a general rule” is incomplete; it can’t stand on its own. That makes it a dependent clause.
“Use a comma when a dependent clause precedes an independent clause” is complete; it can stand on its own. That makes it an independent clause.
The comma in the first sentence of this post is doing a legitimate job. It separates the dependent clause from the independent clause that follows it.
Cheers,
Tara Treasurefield
Tara’s Writing Studio
Comma (with coordinate adjectives)
Okay, folks. It’s time to tackle when and why to use the comma–and when and why not to use it.
I may as well jump right in with coordinate adjectives, “a pair or series of adjectives” about which the Copyeditor’s Handbook author Amy Einsohn writes:
In principle, coordinate adjectives are those that equally and independently modify a noun, and their coordinate status is marked by the presence of either the word and or a comma in between them.
Here’s an example:
They live off the grid in a remote, peaceful location.
The adjectives “remote” and “peaceful” are coordinate because they pass two tests: the sentence is still sensible (1) if you place and between them, and (2) if you reverse their order.
They live off the grid in a remote and peaceful location.
They live off the grid in a peaceful, remote location.
By contrast, it seems to me that most of the pairs of adjectives that are treated as coordinate in the sentences below don’t qualify as coordinate:
He had wavy, sun-bleached hair, a mouth too ripe for his short, upturned nose, and freckles, lots of them. (not qualified: wavy and sun-bleached hair; short and upturned nose)
She wore a loose, leopard-print sweater with the sleeves pushed up, black Capri pants, and high, backless heels with open toes. (not qualified: loose and leopard-print sweater; high and backless heels)
He picked up a tarnished, silver-plated table lighter and clicked the wheel. (not qualified: tarnished and silver-plated table lighter)
I would punctuate these sentences as follows:
He had wavy sun-bleached hair, a mouth too ripe for his short upturned nose, and freckles, lots of them.
She wore a loose leopard-print sweater with the sleeves pushed up, black Capri pants, and high backless heels with open toes.
He picked up a tarnished silver-plated table lighter and clicked the wheel.
Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Tara Treasurefield
Tara’s Writing Studio
