The Century Handbook of Writing Part 52

Right: Although they were few, they were resolute. [Here the comma reveals the distinctness of the two stages of thought. In the sentence _If it freezes the skating will be good_ the distinctness of the two thoughts is less emphatic, and the comma may be omitted.]

Note.--The comma is usually omitted when the adverbial clause follows the main clause.

Right: The score stood twelve to twelve when the first half ended. [The adverbial clause is linked closely with the element it modifies, the predicate; punctuation is unnecessary. If the _when_ clause were placed before the element it does not modify, the subject, a comma should be inserted.]

=d. Restrictive clauses should not be set off by commas; non-restrictive clauses should be set off by commas.= (A restrictive clause is one inseparably connected with the noun or p.r.o.noun it modifies; to omit it would change the thought of the main clause. A non-restrictive clause is less vitally connected with the noun or p.r.o.noun; to omit it would not affect the thought of the main clause.)

Right: Men who are industrious will succeed. [The relative clause restricts the meaning; it is inseparably connected with the noun it modifies, and to omit it would change the thought of the main clause.]

Right: Thomas Carlyle, who wrote forty volumes, was of peasant origin. [The relative clause is non-restrictive; it is not inseparably connected with the noun it modifies, and to omit it would not change the thought of the main clause. Thus: Thomas Carlyle was of peasant origin.]

Right: Where is the house that Jack built? [Restrictive.]

Right: I went to Jack's house, which is across the street.

[Non-restrictive.]

Wrong: Students, who are lazy, do not deserve to pa.s.s. [The sentence as it stands says that all students are lazy, and that none of them deserve to pa.s.s. Without the commas, the sentence would mean that such students as are lazy do not deserve to pa.s.s.]

Right: Students who are lazy do not deserve to pa.s.s.

=The rule stated above for clauses applies also to phrases.=

Right. She, hearing the voice, turned quickly. [_Hearing the voice_ is non-restrictive. It does not identify _she_, and the thought of the main clause is complete without it.]

Right: Books pertaining to aeronautics are in demand.

[_Pertaining to aeronautics_ is restrictive. It explains what books are referred to, and without it the meaning of the main thought is changed.]

Right: Our country, made up as it is of democratic people, lacks the centralized power of a monarchy. [Non-restrictive.]

Right: A country made up of democratic people must be lacking in centralized power. [Restrictive. _Made up of democratic people_ explains _country_ and is essential to the thought of the sentence.]

=e. Slightly parenthetical elements are set off by commas:=

Direct address or explanation:

Write soon, Henry, and tell all the news.

They intend, as you know, to build a great dam across the river.

His father, they say, was frugal and industrious.

I, on my part, however, am unalterably opposed to the expenditure.

He was, according to such reports as have reached me, altogether in the right.

Mild interjections:

Well, we shall see.

Come now, let's talk it over.

But alas, the cupboard was bare.

The custom is, oh, very old.

Absolute phrases:

This being admitted, I shall proceed to my other evidence.

Geographical names which explain other names and dates which explain other dates:

The convention met at Madison, Wisconsin, on March 24, 1916.

Words in apposition:

We arrived at Austin, the capital of Texas.

It was Archie, my best friend in boyhood.

Exception.--The comma is omitted (1) When the appositive is part of a proper name. Right: William the Silent, Alexander the Great. (2) When there is unusually close connection between the appositive and the noun it modifies. Right: My one confidant was my brother Robert. (3) When the appositive is a word or phrase to which attention is called by italics or some other device which sets it apart. Right: The word _sequent_ is derived from Latin. Right: The expression "That's fine" is one which I use indiscriminately.

Note.--When the parenthetical element occurs in the middle of a sentence, "set off by commas" means _punctuate before and after_.

Wrong: I was, madam at home yesterday.

Right: I was, madam, at home yesterday.

Wrong: I am to say the least, provoked.

Right: I am, to say the least, provoked.

=f. Consecutive adjectives that modify the same noun are separated from each other by commas. If, however, the last adjective is closely linked in meaning with the noun, no comma is used before it.=

Right: A short, slight, pitiable figure.

Right: A shrewd professional man. [_Shrewd_ modifies, not _man_ alone, but _professional man_.]

Right: A bedraggled old rooster. [_Old rooster_ has almost the force of a compound word. _Bedraggled_ modifies the general idea _old rooster_.]

Note.--The commas in a series of adjectives are used to separate the adjectives from each other. No comma should intervene between the final adjective and the noun. Wrong: He was only a frail, unarmed, frightened, youngster. Right: He was only a frail, unarmed, frightened youngster.

=g. Words or phrases in series are separated by commas.=

When the series takes the form _a, b, and c_, a comma precedes the _and_.

Confusing: The railroads in question are the New York Central, Pennsylvania and Chesapeake and Ohio. [The reader might surmise that the words _Pennsylvania and Chesapeake and Ohio_ represent a single line or even three different lines.]

Right: The railroads in question are the New York Central, Pennsylvania, and Chesapeake and Ohio.