"But" is a coordinating conjunction and the comma goes - BEFORE the conjunction. Posted: Feb 19th, 2016 - 4:11 am In Reply to: Comma usage with 'but' - Cindersue
This formal rule is supported by a very good working rule of thumb for commas called the "comma pause rule": A comma is used where you would normally pause if the sentence were uttered aloud. You pause before the "but" - not after it.
You can see how this also covers commas separating serial nouns, etc. You do not pause between the last two items where the word "and" appears and hence no comma is indicated.
By the way, another general trend in English grammar is a gradual deprecation of the use of commas. Look in literature from the 1850s, 1920s, 1980s and today and you'll see the count dropping. Bottom line: One should use commas sparingly.
Of course, they SHOULD be used where they are required to clarify meaning:
The woman said her mother was insane.
The woman, said her mother, was insane.
And yes, Prolene and Vicryl are capitalized.
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- Comma usage with 'but' - Cindersue (Views: 1064, 2016-02-18, 8:38 pm)
- "But" is a coordinating conjunction and the comma goes - BEFORE the conjunction.
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