Timeline for Comma before "and", "or" and other coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences ... necessary or not?
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| Sep 27, 2023 at 11:52 | comment | added | Edwin Ashworth | For completeness: ProWritingAid addresses the corresponding situation with subordinators: 'If a subordinate clause comes before the clause it is attached to then it should be followed by a comma. You do not need a comma before a subordinate clause if it follows the main clause (except "whereas" and "although".) [I'd add "usually" for these exceptions.]' 'I am taking my umbrella because it might rain.' / 'I am taking my umbrella[,] although it probably won't rain.' | |
| Jun 15, 2020 at 7:40 | history | edited | CommunityBot |
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| Feb 7, 2018 at 9:48 | comment | added | Edwin Ashworth | T.E.D.'s (deleted) answer adds: << I don't think there really is an "exact rule" [binding rule] that covers this situation and tells you whether a comma is required to be (or not to be) put there. It basically comes down to how the author wants the sentence to read. If they want a slight pause there, they should put in a comma. If not, then it should be left out. >> To which I'd further add that a comma before 'but' has the pragmatic effect of increasing contrast. And a comma before a coordinator where the main clauses are lengthy helps readability. | |
| Sep 23, 2016 at 0:22 | history | edited | DyingIsFun | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Sep 22, 2016 at 23:37 | history | edited | Edwin Ashworth | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Aug 19, 2016 at 0:03 | history | edited | Edwin Ashworth | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Nov 3, 2011 at 14:45 | vote | accept | The English Chicken | ||
| Sep 21, 2011 at 22:12 | comment | added | FumbleFingers | All very nicely put. I think the general trend is to use less punctuation these days, and it seems to me you recognise (and delicately endorse) that trend with your "...should be used to reduce...ambiguity. You can often eliminate the comma". | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 21:30 | comment | added | T.E.D. | Hmmm. I like this answer better than mine. Deleting, and +1. | |
| Sep 21, 2011 at 21:30 | history | edited | ect | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Sep 21, 2011 at 21:23 | history | answered | ect | CC BY-SA 3.0 |