Re: Usage of a the word "BUT"

[Barb Ostapina <Barb -dot- Ostapina -at- METROMAIL -dot- COM>]

Cassie wrote:

<<A quick question, what is the proper usage of a comma before the word
"but"?  I have seen it used correctly and incorrectly equally.

One example is below and was used with and without the comma before the
word "but"

       A.  "This sub-directory is easily accessible by all employees,
             but can only be updated by the Administrator."

       B.  "This sub-directory is easily accessible by all employees
             but can only be updated by the Administrator.">>


Personally, I have more of a problem with where the word "only" is placed
than where the comma goes. The sentence should read "...can be updated only
by..."  Updated by the Administrator is not the only thing the
sub-directory can be. (Just a personal pet peeve. I think technical writers
should take responsibility for this kind of thing. But, enough of that...)

As far as the comma goes, the Chicago Manual of Style says:
     The comma indicates the smallest interruption in continuity of thought
or sentence
     structure. There are a few rules governing its use that have become
almost obligatory.
     Aside from these, the use of the comma is mainly a matter of good
judgement, with
     ease of reading as the end in view.
     ...
     When the clauses of a compound sentence are joined by a conjunction, a
comma
     should be placed before the conjunction unless the clauses are short
and closely related.

FWIW.
--B
barb -dot- ostapina -at- metromail -dot- com
In partly cloudy Lombard, Illinois.


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