chapter 8: punctuation – thinking about commas

Punctuation is the use of conventional (and agreed-upon)  marks to guide
readers through our written text. As writers, a primary  goal should
always be to guide readers through the text as  effectively and
efficiently as possible. While an ability to guide readers through the
text effectively includes a  range of higher-order considerations, 
proper punctuation can also help to guide readers by slowing them down, 
or speeding them up, or focusing them on a particular passage, or 
highlighting a key point, or indicating when one idea is complete
and another is beginning. While commas are, of course, present in the 9
Basic Rules of Punctuation, there are other important considerations
when using commas as a writer.

Where Commas Might Be A Matter of Style or Convention
 
Case 1 – Commas in a series of adjectives modifying a single noun phrase:
 
Example: Although it is made of thin, delicate strands, a spider’s web is not easily broken.
 
The Chicago Manual of Style refers to these as  coordinate
adjectives, and says they are “traditionally separated by  commas,” but
that in the “open” style, the commas are often omitted. So  according to
Chicago, this comma is OPTIONAL.
 
The MLA Handbook says this comma is REQUIRED, unless the first adjective is modifyiing a unit:
This is a common research technique. (research technique is acting as a unit).
 
Case 2 – Commas in a series before a final coordinating conjunction.
 
Example: This sweater comes in three colors: slate, aqua, and burgundy.
 
The MLA Handbook and the Chicago Manual of Style agree that the final comma before the and is REQUIRED.
 
The AP Stylebook, on the other hand, would omit it:
 
I ordered a burger, fries and a coke.
 
Do you want vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream?
 
Case 1 is a matter of style: the good writer can choose whether 
the comma interrupts the flow or offers a necessary pause. Case 2 is a 
matter of convention: the responsible writer will learn the convention
used in her particular context.

Where Commas Are Absolutely Incorrect
 
Case 1 – Never put a comma between mandatory sentence constituents of the 5 basic clause types.
Example: The cat, jumped when the firecracker exploded.
 
NEVER between a subject and a verb
 
Example: The car, is in the shop.
 
NEVER between a linking verb and complement
 
Example: We expect, that we will see you tomorrow.
 
NEVER between a transitive verb and object
 
Case 2 – Never put a single comma between any two elements that are necessary constituents of a phrase or clause.
 
Example: Decked out with a host of sensors and  cameras
that, can detect what is around the vehicle, self-driving cars  can
operate without anyone behind the wheel.
 
NEVER between the relative pronoun and the rest of the relative clause.
 
Example: Jane was not totally happy with, her new cell phone.
 
NEVER between a preposition and its object.
 
Case 3 – Commas may, however, come in pairs when  they are
setting off a non-restrictive element or conjunctive adverb  anywhere in
the sentence.
 
To extend this point, all dependent clauses can be classified as restrictive or nonrestrictive.

1. A restrictive clause gives essential information.
2. Restrictive clauses are not put in commas.
3. A nonrestrictive clause provides additional – but non-essential – information.
4. Nonrestrictive clauses are often set apart from the rest of the
   sentence by a comma (if it’s at the beginning or end of a sentence) or a
   pair of commas (if it’s in the middle of a sentence).

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chapter 8: punctuation – 9 basic rules

Punctuation is the
use of conventional (and agreed-upon)  marks to guide readers through
our written text. We begin with a common set of simple rules for
punctuation based on the concepts that we have  discussed throughout
this textbook. In other words, we believe that  punctuating sentences
should always be based on an understanding that  sentences are always
made up of clauses, phrases, and words. We have  organized our basic
punctuation rules with this in mind.
 
To begin, we believe that punctuation, despite its clear rules, is
also rhetorical, so we don’t consider these rules as wholly prescriptive
(or “written in stone”). Punctuation should also be understood in context. The
rules described below are by no means comprehensive, but we believe 
that these basic rules will cover 90% of the writing that you do,
and understanding them will help you make considered choices for the
other 10%, as well as for other stylistic choices. In other words, these
9 Basic Rules of Punctuation should serve as a starting point for
understanding the ways that  punctuation can be considered a rhetorical
choice.

Rule 1 – Independent clause. Independent clause. Example: The telephone rang. He rushed to answer it. 

• The period (or end punctuation) is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.

A period is an end stop and the primary marker for separating independent clauses. So any time that you see a period, you should identify it as Rule 1. And nothing else. This would also include other  end punctuation, such as the question mark and the exclamation point. Rule 1.

 

Rule 2 – Independent clause; independent clause.
 
Example: The dog barked; the letter carrier ran.
 

• The semicolon is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.

A semicolon can act like a soft period and separate independent clauses.

Rule 3 – Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause. Example: Parking is scarce; therefore, many drivers park illegally. Example (variation): Parking is scarce; many drivers, therefore, park illegally. 

• The semicolon and comma surrounding the conjunctive adverb are the punctuation marks identified by this rule.

While Rule 2 is a semicolon that separates independent clauses, Rule 3 separates independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb. If a conjunctive adverb is not present, then it is NOT Rule 3. But Rule 3 requires two forms of punctuation: the semicolon after the first independent  clause, and before the conjunctive adverb, and a comma after the conjunctive adverb, which signals  the beginning of the next independent clause. Remember, as an adverb,  the conjunctive adverb can move around in the second independent clause,  but the semicolon still signals the end of the first independent  clause.

 

Rule 4 – Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause. Example: Jenny ran to first base, but the shortstop threw her out. 

• The comma preceding the coordinating conjunction is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.

A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when preceded by a comma is a KEY MARKER for independent clauses. Remember, a coordinating conjunction ALWAYS coordinates like items. In this rule, the coordinating conjunction coordinates independent clauses. As coordinated clauses, it’s important to remember that the  comma always occurs before the coordinator.

 

Rule 5 – Dependent clause, independent clause. Example: When the clock struck twelve, the mouse ran down. 

• The comma following the dependent clause is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.

When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, you signal the end of the dependent clause with a comma. While  this occurs most commonly at the beginning of a sentence, with  (normally) an adverbial subordinate clause occupying the introductory  position, followed by an independent clause, this pattern can happen  anywhere in a sentence. So this introductory clause (or concluding  clause) should be punctuated as a non-restrictive clause. Rule 5A (variation) – Independent clause dependent clause. Example: The mouse ran down when the clock struck twelve. Example (variation): The mouse ran down, when the clock struck twelve. 

• The comma following the independent clause (or not) is the punctuation mark identified by this variation of the rule.

A variation on Rule 5 is when a dependent clause  follows an independent clause without punctuation. Because this  dependent clause is adverbial (most often a subordinate clause), it is  not the same thing as a restrictive clause,  and for this reason, when a dependent clause follows an independent  clause, convention does not require a comma to separate the clauses.  However, stylistically, you can make a choice to use a comma to separate  the clauses for a variety of reasons: pace, emphasis, non-restriction,  etc. Using a comma to separate an independent clause from a dependent  clause in this context is not grammatically incorrect.

 

Rule 6 – Adverbial nonfinite verb phrase or prepositional phrase, independent clause. Example: To do well in school, you must study hard. Example: For success in school, you must study hard. Example: You must study hard, for perceived success in school. 

• The comma following the adverbial phrase is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.

Similar to the introductory clause, an adverbial nonfinite verb phrase or prepositional phrase in an introductory position normally calls for the use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. It is important, however, that you recognize the difference between an introductory adverbial clause (Rule 5) and an introductory adverbial phrase (Rule 6). While some offer a word-count rule for this introductory phrase (i.e.,  “Use a comma to separate an introductory phrase that is more than four words long”), the most effective (and most grammatical), is to get into  the habit of using a comma whenever you use an introductory adverbial  nonfinite verb phrase or prepositional phrase. Similarly, if an  adverbial non-finite verb phrase or prepositional phrase concludes a  sentence, the phrase can be preceded by a comma.

 

Rule 7 – Independent, nonrestrictive  dependent clause or
phrase, clause. OR – nonrestrictive clause or phrase  – OR
(nonrestrictive clause or phrase)
 
Example: Subordinate clauses, because they are adverbial, or non-restrictive, can move about in a sentence.
 
Example: Jane’s father, who is in his eighties, is an octogenarian.
 
Example: Jane’s father – well into his eighties – is an octogenarian.
 
Example: Jane’s father (pushing ninety) is an octogenarian.
 

• The paired commas (or dashes or parentheses) around the
  non-restrictive phrase/clause are the punctuation marks identified by
  this rule.

A non-restrictive clause or phrase, in contrast to restrictive, is
extra or supplemental information. Since this  information is not
required, you signal its supplemental status with paired commas (placing
a comma before and after the non-restrictive clause or phrase) or
paired dashes or parentheses. 
 
This rule applies to all dependent clauses, including 
non-restrictive adjectival relative clauses or nominal clauses,  but the
adverbial subordinate clause is the most common, since it can  move
about in a sentence. This means that if you place a subordinate  clause
between the subject and the main verb phrase of another clause,  you
must set it apart with paired commas (a comma before and after the
subordinate  clause).
 
Finally, a stylistic consideration is the use of  different
punctuation marks that function like a set of paired commas.  While
paired commas is the accepted and conventional mark, you can also  use a
double dash or a parentheses to achieve the same effect. Which set  of
marks you use should be a considered choice, as each can serve 
different ends for guiding your readers through your text.

Rule 8 – Independent clause: (to introduce a list or a restatement of the previous clause)
 
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: school, work, caregiving, and studying.
 
Example: The girl’s life was extremely  hectic: mornings
were spent in school; afternoons were spent at work;  evenings were
spent taking care of her invalid grandmother; and nights  were spent
studying.
 
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: she was on the move constantly from morning to night.
 

• The colon is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.

A colon most commonly signals a list or restatement of an independent clause.

Rule 9 – Commas in a series
 
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: school, work, caregiving, and studying.
 
Example: The girl’s life was  extremely hectic: mornings
were spent in school; afternoons were spent  at work; evenings were
spent taking care of her invalid grandmother; and  nights were spent
studying.
 

• All commas in the series are the punctuation marks identified by this rule.

In a list or series (words, phrases or  clauses, you
separate simple items using commas, and separate complex  items (such as
a list of clauses following a colon) using semicolons.

As we said, these rules by no means cover all possibilities for
punctuation in the English language, but they will probably cover 90% 
percent of them. More importantly, they are adaptable and offer a base 
for punctuating effectively.

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