Commas with Clauses
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
Commas with Clauses
Rule – When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause.
Examples:
If you are not sure about this, let me know now.
Let me know now if you are not sure about this.
Rule – Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence. If the phrase has three or fewer words, the comma is optional.
Examples:
To apply for this job, you must have previous experience.
On February 14 many couples give each other candy or flowers.
OR
On February 14, many couples give each other candy or flowers.
Rule – Use commas surrounding words such as therefore and however when they are used as interrupters.
Examples:
I would, therefore, like a response.
I would be happy, however, to volunteer for the Red Cross.
Pop Quiz
Choose the correct sentence.
1A.Whether my team wins this weekend or not, I will have to go to work on Monday.
1B. Whether my team wins this weekend or not I will have to go to work on Monday.
2A. I will have to go to work on Monday, whether my team wins this weekend or not.
2B. I will have to go to work on Monday whether my team wins this weekend or not.
3A. Beginning tomorrow, I am going to walk a mile every Wednesday.
3B. Beginning tomorrow I am going to walk a mile every Wednesday.
4A. I would be interested however in learning more about commas.
4B. I would be interested, however in learning more about commas.
4C. I would be interested however, in learning more about commas.
4D. I would be interested, however, in learning more about commas.
Pop Quiz Answers
1A.Whether my team wins this weekend or not, I will have to go to work on Monday.
2B. I will have to go to work on Monday whether my team wins this weekend or not.
3A. Beginning tomorrow, I am going to walk a mile every Wednesday. OR
3B. Beginning tomorrow I am going to walk a mile every Wednesday.
4D. I would be interested, however, in learning more about commas.
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
Thanks, I have always had problems with commas.
You are welcome. I am glad this helped you.
I have a question about apostrophe in English; there is an example written on one of my books in this way “after the second world war’ people began to realize themselves” , is the use of the punctuation after the word war is right or wrong??
The proper punctuation mark following war should be a comma, not an apostrophe. Follow the first Rule stated in the first line of this article.
I have searched for the answer to this question on your blog, but I couldn’t find it. Here is an ACT question which is supposed to be revised:
Over the next few hours eight battleships were damaged and five of those were sunk.
G. Over the next few hours, eight battleships were damaged, and five of those were sunk.
H. Over the next few hours, eight battleships were damaged, five of which were sunk.
It says that both the original and G are wrong and that H is right. I asked a friend why and she said that the problem is not that the original and G are clunky, but that “of those” is different from “of which,” but she didn’t know exactly why and recommended your blog. However, I have not been able to find the answer on it. Would you be so kind as to tell me?
This question demonstrates the gray area that commas often inhabit. Sometimes a comma signals an audible pause; other times it is a device that has less to do with hearing than with reading smoothly. With that in mind, the original sentence, with no commas, looks acceptable in our age of dropping commas whenever possible. The sentence flows nicely without commas, and there is no danger of ambiguity. Perhaps ACT is sticking strictly to the practice of placing a comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence (“Over the next few hours”).
If a comma were called for, it would be after “damaged” in all the examples. You wouldn’t be wrong putting one after “hours,” but in this case we can understand why a writer wouldn’t. Perhaps in the case of sentence G, ACT is staying in strict adherence to the practice of not placing a comma after the independent clause when followed by an “and” connector to a dependent clause.
What is the GrammarBook’s position on what some call restrictive introductory clauses? Do you advise writing
When he reached home he found the letter.
or
When he reached home, he found the letter?
What about sentences like this, where if clauses are nested into a complex sentence:
The Supreme Court found that because the screening process is not a “principal activity” of the workers’ jobs under a federal labor law it is not subject to compensation.
Is there a name for sentences like this? And should there be a comma before it and after law?
Our Rule 10 of Commas says, “When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.” Therefore: When he reached home, he found the letter. We should acknowledge, though, that contemporary editors often do not demand a comma in these situations if the sentence is concise, and the sense is clear and unambiguous without it. These days, When he reached home he found the letter would be many editors’ preference.
In the second example, the comma after “law” would be a courtesy to signal the end of that long dependent clause at the beginning.
In general, using the comma remains good discipline for beginning writers.
Sorry to bother you, but I am stuck.
Consider the following: He gave them no pause, even when he stopped to discard a middle-aged couple onto the streets.
Doesn’t that comma belong there? If FEELS like it should, but I looked at your site and I can’t find the rule that would apply to it.
Yet, when I take the comma out, it feels wrong.
I am trying to be good, by the way. I have become one of those curmudgeons, those punctuational pedants. (I also bought your book to help me.)
Good for you for wanting to take such care with your grammar and punctuation.
Our online Rule 4b of Commas says “A comma is usually unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent clause followed by a dependent clause.” Note the words usually unnecessary. Also, in our introduction to the rules on commas we note: “Commas customarily indicate a brief pause …” The sentence in question also, interestingly, contains the word “pause” just at the spot you are concerned about, which may accentuate the pause you feel there. This is a judgment call, but we would probably insert a comma in that spot as well.
I want to put a comma (before “or”) in the first example, but not necessarily in the second one. Is a comma necessary for one/both/neither? Does the length of the sentence matter in this situation? Thank you!
“…though she was confused about whether the condition had completely and unexpectedly healed, or whether the healthcare provider had provided an inaccurate diagnosis.”
“It is unclear whether she had a brief impairment or whether she was entirely misdiagnosed.”
First example: We cannot be sure how to advise you because we would have to see the complete sentence. But from what you provide, we recommend no comma after “or.”
Second example: No comma needed.
Can you please confirm, in sentences starting with the word “but” should a comma follow the word “but”? I cannot find this in the blue book although I am sure that I have studied it at some point. Thanks very much.
There is no general rule that applies to all sentences. Whether to include a comma after an opening conjunction depends on whether the writer wants a pause for effect. In other words, it’s a matter of writer’s style and preference.
Is it correct to place a comma in front of a verb that precedes a complete thought?
Eg. The truth is, he is very tall.
The comma is optional, but we recommend using it to provide a better-sounding pause where the close repetition of “is” would otherwise be awkward. You could also consider substituting the word “that” for the comma.
I am wondering if a comma should be used after “Sometimes” when it begins a sentence like the following sentence. Sometimes, it even seems impossible.
And what about the word “Then” when it begins a sentence?
Thank you!
Our Rule 7a of Commas reads “Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes, why, hello, hey, etc.” While sometimes and then aren’t specified in that list, adding a comma to provide a pause may serve the author’s style.
For example, compare the following:
Sometimes, I will stop and think of her.
Sometimes I will stop and think of her.
The first sentence has more gravity because of the pause. It suggests greater focus and reflection as opposed to rolling right through the thought as in the second sentence.
Can you help me with this punctuation?
“They had another attempt in their pocket, but, after a conference along the outside rail, the driver waved to the crowd.”
OR
“They had another attempt in their pocket but, after a conference along the outside rail, the driver waved to the crowd.”
Same here:
Ira had iced tea, and much to his delight, Eva ordered a Coca-Cola. OR Ira had iced tea and, much to his delight, Eva ordered a Coca-Cola.
Your examples include two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, and the second clause also begins with an adverbial phrase.
In such constructions, unless the writer wishes to punctuate after the coordinating conjunction for preferred pacing or style, the phrase is typically treated as part of the second clause with punctuation after but not before the phrase.
They had another attempt in their pocket [independent clause], but [coordinating conjunction] after a conference along the outside rail [adverbial phrase], the driver waved to the crowd [independent clause].
Ira had iced tea [independent clause], and [coordinating conjunction] much to his delight [adverbial phrase], Eva ordered a Coca-Cola [independent clause].