Introductory Phrases (comma hell)

dianeP · Jun 21, 2009

I'm in comma hell again, as I try to figure out when to put one and when not to. (like that one right there has me wondering)

While in many cases I feel certain, others leave me in angst.

So, the introductory phrase...

I just found;

Of course, bla bla bla (which actually reads a bit funny to me with the comma. Does this depend on what comes next?)
Like:Of course he's fine. OR Of course, if he goes, he'll have to...

When he went to the store, he forgot... (Ok, that makes sense)

But what about;

As a member of the club, she had the right...

The other day, I went... Five nights ago, I slept... Last year, you came...(when mentioning a time frame at the beginning of a sentence, I tend to want to put a comma. Is it right?)

If you have other sample of other typical introductory phrases, I'd appreciate it.

Please don't give me too much grammar terminology (coordinating conjunction or correlative...). For the life of me, no matter how many times I read that kind of stuff, no matter how many comma guides I go through, it doesn't stick. It refuses to settle in my brain and become understandable. That's why I tend to look for samples. That sticks a bit more.

I've just read a guide to comma usage and still have these questions.

That said, if you have any guides (maybe I should be looking at guides geared for kids

) or threads to lead me to, I'd appreciate it all the same.

Thanks

Lisa Cox · Jun 21, 2009

As regards to the 'of course' one, this is how I usually handle it:

"Can you put cheese on the pasta?"
"Of course I can."

"They'll be getting married soon. Of course, it all depends on how he proposes. She won't say yes if he doesn't make an effort."

I find that if you're stating something (of course I can, of course I'll be there, of course you'll pass, etc), then there's no comma. If you're clarifying something (of course, it depends on..., of course, if it rains we won't be able to... etc) then you use one.

Commas are a shady area. Guides will tell you different things. I know I overuse them and I'm now trying to be conscious of it.

dpaterso · Jun 21, 2009

If you haven't already, take a peek at The Elements of Style's elementary usage articles on commas.

-Derek

chrysalnix · Jun 21, 2009

Good examples here:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/

Dale Emery · Jun 21, 2009

dianeP said:
Of course, bla bla bla (which actually reads a bit funny to me with the comma. Does this depend on what comes next?)
Like:Of course he's fine. OR Of course, if he goes, he'll have to...

I think it depends on what comes next; or more precisely, on the relationship between "of course" and what comes next.

I don't know how to express the different relationships grammatically, so I'll offer this test I just made up:

Read the sentence aloud, emphasizing the word course. If that emphasis makes sense (as in "Of course he's fine"), omit the comma. If it doesn't make sense (as in "Of course, if he goes he'll have to ..."), include the comma.

Dale

ccv707 · Jun 21, 2009

Speak the lines in question to yourself aloud. Place commas in wherever there is a pause in the speech. If you're dealing with dialogue, a character in a rush yelling something rapidly isn't going to pause, while someone sitting down at dinner might take more time speaking. With narrative, simply read it aloud and place the commas wherever you feel a momentary pause in your speech.

Gatita · Jun 21, 2009

I used to be a real comma junkie. Since working at a newspaper, I've come to admire the sentence with fewer commas -- just feels cleaner to me. Now I use 'em sparingly. I like ccv707's advice: follow the pattern of your speech. Or rather your character's voice...

Catadmin · Jun 22, 2009

If you can leave the phrase out of the sentence without making the sentence sound like a fragment, then use the comma. If you have a sentence that needs breaking up, like the first sentence in my reply, then use the comma.

And my second sentence is a perfect example of an "unnecessary" phrase that requires setting off with commas. @=)

So, I would add a comma after my "so" introductory phrase because I really don't need the "so" for this sentence to be complete.

Make sense?

dianeP · Jun 22, 2009

Thanks everyone. I'll hit all the suggested links until this is all drilled into my brain.

Caramia · Jun 22, 2009

Thanks for the topic, dianeP.

You're not alone!

Danthia · Jun 23, 2009

I have been told, that if the introductory clause is five words or less, use a comma. If more, no comma. Vary according to taste and where you want the pause.

CaroGirl · Jun 23, 2009

ccv707 said:
Speak the lines in question to yourself aloud. Place commas in wherever there is a pause in the speech. If you're dealing with dialogue, a character in a rush yelling something rapidly isn't going to pause, while someone sitting down at dinner might take more time speaking. With narrative, simply read it aloud and place the commas wherever you feel a momentary pause in your speech.

I disagree with that advice. Commas don't necessarily go where there's a pause in speech. Please read a grammar book and brush up on comma use. There are specific rules and they aren't really that difficult to learn.

I recommend either the Elements of Style or Eats, Shoots, and Leaves.

shewrites · Jun 23, 2009

I'm sorry. Did you jump in my head and take over my brain? I am ALWAYS in comma hell and I can never seem to figure it all out. I ended up going to B&N and bought an 8th grade grammar workbook, which actually did help a little. ::looks at Journalism degree and hangs head in shame:: This is a very helpful post. Thank you!

jjacobs · Jun 24, 2009

If you're like me, then public school never taught you the correct use of the comma. Turns out, there is logic behind it after all. I found this website to be helpful. Just click "The English House of Commas." Their other resources are great, too!

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/powerpoint.htm

PaperTiger · Jun 24, 2009

Better to have too many commas than too few?

Introductory Phrases (comma hell)

dianeP

Lisa Cox

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

chrysalnix

Dale Emery

is way off topic

ccv707

He who asks, "Why?"

Gatita

Girl reporter

Catadmin

An Author in Search of a Plot

dianeP

Caramia

Alliteration Afflicted

Danthia

CaroGirl

Living the dream

shewrites

jjacobs

PaperTiger