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b5c3a.htf
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1997-03-31
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149 lines
B5C3a
Trends with Commas
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The comma before
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and
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in a series used to be optional; it is
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now preferred. Use a comma before the
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and
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separating the
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last two items in a series:
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I bought bread, milk, and honey.
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In spite of the above information, there is a general trend
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toward using fewer commas, and this trend is noticeable with
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nonessential clauses. When a nonessential clause seems
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more important to the sentence, the clause may not be set
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off with commas. For example, a nonessential clause
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beginning with while or whereas may not take commas
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unless the clause is long. You may see either punctuation
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pattern shown below.
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Nonessential:
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She likes coffee while her friend prefers
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tea.
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Nonessential:
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She likes coffee, while her friend prefers
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tea.
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Commas are usually used with nonessential clauses
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beginning with
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who
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,
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which
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,
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where
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, or
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when
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.
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