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I recall my instructor in my technical editing class saying that sometimes commas were a matter of personal preference. I've always been of the opinion that if you say a sentence outloud and your tone implies a comma, then the written version should have a comma.
Example:
There is no need to separate the source from this mounting plate, as the assembly will be replaced as a whole.
Is the comma necessary? One engineer here feels it is not, but I like it there because it sounds better.
Do any of you have any handy rules for this? I'd like some justification if possible.
