TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Commas (was: But for however) From:"Matthew B. Hicks" <matt -at- UNIDATA -dot- UCAR -dot- EDU> Date:Sun, 12 Nov 1995 11:45:00 -0700
Does anyone on this list remember what a comma signifies? As I recall, it
is often used to signify that the author wishes the reader to pause
slightly at the comma before continuing with the rest of the sentence.
Used in this way, the placement of the comma is not governed by some
unyielding set of grammatical rules but is determined by the author.
Therefore, if I want my reader to pause slightly at the "but" (probably to
emphasize the forthcoming contradiction), I will place a comma after it.
But, that won't always be appropriate, so most often, I won't.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Hicks, Tech. Writer, Unidata * I may not agree with what you
Boulder, CO, (303)497-8676, ******* say, but I'll defend to the
matt -at- unidata -dot- ucar -dot- edu ************* death my right to mock you.
