Do you have to mark it on both sides?

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Believer

#297884 Sun, 26 Nov 06 11:06 PM

Hi,

I see sentences with phrases and words such as 'as the time goes on', 'as long as it is happening', and 'however', and I want to ask you whether I have to enclosed them both sides with commas or just one side. Is it matter of style? Or is it a something of an evolutionary trend? I remember several reference books noting the commas on both sides are required.

... and, as the time goes on, ...

... and, as long as it is happening, ...

and, however, ...

Believer

Joined on Mon, Jan 2 2006

Contributing Member (1,969)

Commas

Tidus

#298115 Mon, 27 Nov 06 01:24 PM

in the context that you're using the expressions, yes. The reason for this is that you're providing an extra piece of information that the reader doesn't need to know to understand what is being said.

For example: "We planted a tree yesterday and, as time goes on, it will grow to 50 feet". If you just said "We planted a tree yesterday and it will grow to 50 feet", the reader still understands what is being said.

Tidus

Joined on Mon, Nov 27 2006

England

Full Member (360)

Expressions

Believer

#298257 Mon, 27 Nov 06 08:54 PM

Thank you.

I think there are basically two contexts the expressions or phrases mentioned can be used -- as one to provide extra information and the one that is essential to the overall meaning.

As to the former use, if I am not mistaken, I have seen many, many cases where a single comma is placed after the expression or phrase, rather than two commas for before and after them.

Is it because we are becoming lazy? Is it proper punctuation?

... and as the time goes on,

... and as long as it is happening,

.. and however,

... and thus,

... and so,

Believer

Before and After, Commas, Expressions, Punctuation

The17pointscale

#298329 Tue, 28 Nov 06 01:31 AM

Good question. I seem to recall reading in the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) that it is acceptable to drop the comma after and: independent clause], and, as the sun sank in the sky, the....

But I can't seem to find the reference now, so I really can't answer your question.

However, here's something from the CMOS that's remotely related:

"When two conjunctions appear next to each other (e.g., and if, but if), they should not be separated by a comma if there would be no pause between them if they were spoken aloud--or, in grammatical terms, if the dependent clause is restrictive in meaning.

"E.G. --

Burton examined the documents for over an hour, and if Smedley had not intervened, the forgery would have been revealed."

-Andrew