Punctuation | Page 4

semicolon for the colon. Compare a page of the King James version of the Bible, especially in one of its earlier printings, with a page of serious discourse of to-day and the effects of the tendency will be easily seen. It is part of the general tendency toward greater simplicity of expression which has developed the clear and simple English of the best contemporary writers out of the involved and ornate style of the period of Queen Elizabeth. An ornate and involved style needs a good deal of punctuation to make it intelligible, while a simple and direct style needs but very little help.
This progressive change in the need for punctuation and in the attitude of writers toward it accounts for the difference in usage and for the difficulty in fixing rules to cover all cases. The present attitude toward punctuation, especially the use of the comma, is one of aversion. The writer is always held to justification of the presence of a comma rather than of its absence. Nevertheless it is quite possible to go too far in the omission of commas in ordinary writing. It is quite possible to construct sentences in such a way as to avoid their use. The result is a harsh and awkward style, unwarranted by any necessity. Ordinary writing needs some use of commas to indicate the sense and to prevent ambiguity.
Always remember that the real business of the comma is just that of helping the meaning of the words and of preventing ambiguity by showing clearly the separation and connection of words and phrases. If there is possibility of misunderstanding without a comma, put one in. If the words tell their story beyond possibility of misunderstanding without a comma, there is no reason for its use. This rule will serve as a fairly dependable guide in the absence of any well recognized rule for a particular case, or where doubt exists as to the application of a rule.
Reversed, and usually in pairs, commas mark the beginning of a quotation.
In numerical statements the comma separates Arabic figures by triplets in classes of hundreds: $5,276,492.72.
In tabular work reversed commas are used as a sign for ditto.
SCHOOLS TEACHING PRINTING
Boston: Boston Typothet? School of Printing. " Industrial Arts High School. Chicago: Lakeside Press School of Printing. " Chicago Typothet? School of Printing. " Lane Technical High School.
The comma is placed between the words which it is intended to separate. When used in connection with quotation marks, it is always placed inside them.
"Honesty is the best policy," as the proverb says.
Rules for the Use of the Comma
1. After each adjective or adverb in a series of two or more when not connected by conjunctions.
He was a tall, thin, dark man.
The rule holds when the last member of the series is preceded by a conjunction.
He was tall, thin, and dark.
The comma may be omitted when the words are combined into a single idea.
A still hot day. An old black coat.
2. After each pair in a series of pairs of words or phrases not connected by conjunctions.
Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish, I give my hand and my heart to this vote.
Formerly the master printer, his journeymen, even his apprentices, all lived in the same house.
3. To separate contrasted words.
We rule by love, not by force.
4. Between two independent clauses connected by a conjunction.
The press was out of order, but we managed to start it.
5. Before a conjunction when the word which preceded it is qualified by an expression which does not qualify the word which follows the conjunction.
He quickly looked up, and spoke.
6. Between relative clauses which explain the antecedent, or which introduce a new thought.
The type, which was badly worn, was not fit for the job.
If the relative clause limits the meaning of the antecedent, but does not explain it and does not add a new thought, the comma is not used.
He did only that which he was told to do.
7. To separate parenthetical or intermediate expressions from the context.
The school, you may be glad to know, is very successful. The books, which I have read, are returned with gratitude. He was pleased, I suppose, with his work.
If the connection of such expressions is so close as to form one connected idea the comma is not used.
The press nearest the south window is out of order.
If the connection of such expressions is remote, parentheses are used.
The Committee (appointed under vote of April 10, 1909) organized and proceeded with business.
8. To separate the co-ordinate clauses of compound sentences if such clauses are simple in construction and closely related.
He was kind, not indulgent, to his men; firm, but just, in discipline; courteous, but not familiar, to all.
9. To separate quotations, or similar brief expressions from the preceding part of the sentence.
C?sar reported to the Senate, "I