January 19, 201016 yr When is it appropriate to put a comma before the word "but" and when do you not? I have seen it both ways in professionally written pieces.
January 19, 201016 yr :lol: Very busy day here at work, but here's a link that could help "Grammarbook.com"
January 19, 201016 yr Technically, the "but" serves as the comma linking two clauses together and can stand without the comma in most cases. Some writers add it in there just to put more emphasis on the pause in between the clauses.
January 19, 201016 yr It kind of depends on the pace you want to achieve in the sentence. Like Jim Schue said, if you want to create a sense of urgency or excitement in a sentence, you might want to leave the comma out. On the other hand, if you want to add a little distinction between two thoughts in a sentence, you can throw in the comma. It's like a grammatical speed-bump.
January 19, 201016 yr Technically, the "but" serves as the comma linking two clauses together and can stand without the comma in most cases. Some writers add it in there just to put more emphasis on the pause in between the clauses. It kind of depends on the pace you want to achieve in the sentence. Like Jim Schue said, if you want to create a sense of urgency or excitement in a sentence, you might want to leave the comma out. On the other hand, if you want to add a little distinction between two thoughts in a sentence, you can throw in the comma. It's like a grammatical speed-bump. :thumb:
January 19, 201016 yr What kind of English majors are you? Rigid and outdated grammatical rules based on old-world and Latinate constructions are simply a method for keeping the powerful majority in control of knowledge exchange (not to mention the economic and political zones) and for keeping out those who would intrude on that control. instead you should ignore grammatical requirements except when necessary to increase clarity and understanding for the reader. we can thereby destroy the disjointed and prejudicial concept of "proper english" as the one most closely resembling that of our former colonial oppressors. the language most common should be the language of the people instead of the constructed rules of the aristocrats puttering over their oxford english dictionaries and goldman's english grammar for students of latin. we should all write like ee cummings and not worry about whether rules are universal. Didn't any of you take Composition Theory or Rhetorical Theory? Can't be a good English major these days without studying the power structures behind such things. Even talking about the study of grammar in some of the modern English department is enough to get you sent out to sea on the iceberg. Somewhere between a nun repeatedly slapping me with a ruler and what I described above is probably a good idea. Oh, and I like BF's suggestion. Grammatical rules should serve the purpose of better communication between writer and reader. If you want that distinction between the two clauses so the reader takes a pause when reading, use the comma. Otherwise, don't bother; it's just extra ink and we're trying to save the world these days. Reduce, reuse and recycle.
January 19, 201016 yr What kind of English majors are you? Rigid and outdated grammatical rules based on old-world and Latinate constructions are simply a method for keeping the powerful majority in control of knowledge exchange (not to mention the economic and political zones) and for keeping out those who would intrude on that control. instead you should ignore grammatical requirements except when necessary to increase clarity and understanding for the reader. we can thereby destroy the disjointed and prejudicial concept of "proper english" as the one most closely resembling that of our former colonial oppressors. the language most common should be the language of the people instead of the constructed rules of the aristocrats puttering over their oxford english dictionaries and goldman's english grammar for students of latin. we should all write like ee cummings and not worry about whether rules are universal. Didn't any of you take Composition Theory or Rhetorical Theory? Can't be a good English major these days without studying the power structures behind such things. Even talking about the study of grammar in some of the modern English department is enough to get you sent out to sea on the iceberg. Somewhere between a nun repeatedly slapping me with a ruler and what I described above is probably a good idea. Oh, and I like BF's suggestion. Grammatical rules should serve the purpose of better communication between writer and reader. If you want that distinction between the two clauses so the reader takes a pause when reading, use the comma. Otherwise, don't bother; it's just extra ink and we're trying to save the world these days. Reduce, reuse and recycle. :lol: Quite the rant! Aren't you a law major? Grammar rules are like laws, IMO. Break them, and it's the same as driving the wrong way down a one-way street. :taz:
January 19, 201016 yr Instead you should ignore grammatical requirements except when necessary to increase clarity and understanding for the reader. We can thereby destroy the disjointed and prejudicial concept of "proper english" as the one most closely resembling that of our former colonial oppressors.That's always been my approach...except without the 18th century imperialist overtones.
January 19, 201016 yr Break them, and it's the same as driving the wrong way down a one-way street. :taz:Yeah, it's cool, as long as no one calls you on it.
January 19, 201016 yr :lol: Quite the rant! Aren't you a law major? Grammar rules are like laws, IMO. Break them, and it's the same as driving the wrong way down a one-way street. :taz: I'm studying law now. But I was a true student of the modern academy as an English major when I was an undergrad.
January 19, 201016 yr It kind of depends on the pace you want to achieve in the sentence. Like Jim Schue said, if you want to create a sense of urgency or excitement in a sentence, you might want to leave the comma out. On the other hand, if you want to add a little distinction between two thoughts in a sentence, you can throw in the comma. It's like a grammatical speed-bump. I have an English Degree from NKU and I HAVE NO CLUE !!! Just kidding. I like what Birdsfan states above as it seems to make the most sense. I am not a big fan of using the word "but" when I write though.
January 19, 201016 yr I am not a big fan of using the word "but" when I write though.You don't like to show your "but?"
January 20, 201016 yr What about this from the "a" vs "an" category? He received an honor. He received a honor. I would actually say the former. The second doesn't sound right. Anyone?
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