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baby predator · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 4:10 am Post subject: comma question

Can anyone help me out on the issue of placing a comma after "Now"?

For example:

"Now, have the students open their book to page 5."

"Now, I'd like to introduce a new topic..."

The normally reliable Swan says there should be a comma in both of the above examples, but my colleagues who used to work at OUP vehemently disagree. Any opinions? I'd especially like to know what the American English convention is.

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

A comma implies that a new topic is being introduced. No comma implies that it is an order or part of a set of instructions (as opposed to "before").

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I thought that a comma could also mean a pause. "I like apples, too."

johnslat · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 1:06 pm Post subject: To comma or not to comma

There are certain times when commas are required ( in lists to replace the "and", when using direct address, to prevent ambiguity in meaning, etc.), but a lot of the time, using or not using them is really the writer's choice. Most often, they're used to indicate a slight pause, and whether there should be a pause or not is frequently up to the writer. That's my opnion, anyway.
Regards,
John (eight commas)

Ka-CHING! · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 102

I believe the comma is optional. Use it if you wish to pause at that point in the sentence; omit it if you think the sentence should be read with no pause. The comma would be mandatory for a longer introductory element.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_commaint.html

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

See if you can punctuate the following so that it makes sense:

Where James had had had had Joe had had had

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:02 am Post subject: I've been had

Dear Marcoregano,
How's this?

Where James had had, " had had", Joe had had, " had".

Regards,
John

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Top marks sir! I must say it gave me a slight headache the first time I came across it....

leby26 · Joined: 30 Jan 2004 Posts: 68

I might be wrong, but I would say:

baby predator · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 7:31 am Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm really after a more precise reply. At work, I follow fairly strict rules on using commas: separating two independent clauses, after an opening phrase, etc. However, I've found nothing conclusive about my question in the immense amounts of online literature.

If no one can venture a definite answer, can anyone point me to a good reference site for posting such a question?

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

In my humble opinion both commas are quite correct, as a pause after 'now' is appropriate in both cases. However, in the first case some might actually say the sentence 'without' a pause. I guess this makes the first comma optional, but to me it looks odd without it.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I humbly opine as marcoregano.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

johnslat · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject: Occasionally a big difference

Dear Stephen,

"Because the rules aren't that strict. "

Amen, he chorused.

But I used to like to use this one to show how a comma CAN make a big difference:

1. Mom calling me to dinner

a) It's time to eat, John.

2. And, on that desert island, when all other food has run out - well, then

b) It's time to eat John.

Regards,
John

baby predator · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:40 am Post subject:

I like this one, which demonstrates the point of placing a comma before 'and' in a series.

I'd like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand and God.

As for following rules, there is a tremendous need for them when you write educational materials. I used never to be sure where a comma should go - was it during natural pauses, was it to separate clauses? My usage was totally inconsistent - as is most people's. We happily follow the rules to capitalize the first letter in a sentence and to place a period at the end; making our writing that much more comprehensible. Why not do the same with commas?