Re: Comma preferences

[Elizabeth Ross <beth -at- vcubed -dot- com>]

From Strunk & White, Elements of Style, Third Edition:

4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause.

 . . Two-part sentences of which the second member is introduced by as (in
the sense of "because"), for, or, nor, or while (in the sense of "and at the
same time") likewise require a comma before the conjunction.

Cheers!
-- 
Elizabeth Ross
Senior Technical Writer, V3 Semiconductor Corp.
beth -at- vcubed -dot- com          http://www.vcubed.com
Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum.


> From: "Sierra Godfrey" <kittenbreath -at- hotbot -dot- com>
> Organization: HotBot Mail  (http://mail.hotbot.mailcity.lycos.com:80)
> Reply-To: "Sierra Godfrey" <kittenbreath -at- hotbot -dot- com>
> Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 15:34:58 -0700
> To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
> Subject: Comma preferences
> 
> Hi,
> 
> 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.
> 
> Thanks.