Topic: Comma usage question

I was wondering if someone can tell me which of the following is the correct (or best) way to use commas:

1. You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and, with it, you will end all suffering everywhere.
2. You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity, and with it, you will end all suffering everywhere.
3. You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity, and, with it, you will end all suffering everywhere.

1 seems cleanest. However, I believe "and" is functioning as a conjunction, so that would suggest 2 or 3. I believe 3 is the only one that would have made it past my fifth grade English teacher.

Thanks
Dirk

Quote Post 1

Re: Comma usage question

3

Quote Post 2

Re: Comma usage question

Agree - 3.

Quote Post 3

Re: Comma usage question

I say none of the above.  Use only the first comma.  The parse is clear at every other point.  Only at point of the first comma does the reader have to know to start a new branch high up in the parse tree.

Quote Post 4

Re: Comma usage question

Thanks. I went with njc's suggestion. I came across several more instances like this, and they're all clear with just the one comma.

Quote Post 5

Re: Comma usage question

And (oops) I meant to say to move the comma before the 'and', so that it signals that the conjunction ties in higher in the parse tree.

I kneel for the wet-noodle lashes.

Quote Post 6

Re: Comma usage question

No, I got that. Thanks.

Quote Post 7

Re: Comma usage question

I would say 2.

My English teacher always said not to put a comma after a FANBOYS.

For And Not But Or Yet So

So "and," would not be correct.

Quote Post 8

Re: Comma usage question

I would take out with it:

You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and you will end all suffering everywhere.

It's really not needed and you won't have to use a comma. In fact you could go further and do this:

You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and end suffering everywhere.

Just a thought.
smile

Quote Post 9

Re: Comma usage question

dagnee wrote:

I would take out with it:

You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and you will end all suffering everywhere.

It's really not needed and you won't have to use a comma. In fact you could go further and do this:

You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and end suffering everywhere.
)
Just a thought.
smile

I agree, Dagnee--no comma needed. I like your amended version.

When I'm not sure, I say it out loud to see if I pause naturally, then try saying it with other inflections. It's a joke about actors, but it really helps. Of course, (see what I did there?) I can still make mistakes. That's why God created tnbw.

Quote Post 10

11 Reply by njc

Re: Comma usage question

Thid is clearly dialogue, either present or past.  You must allow for the speaker's voice.

Quote Post 11

Re: Comma usage question

njc wrote:

Thid is clearly dialogue, either present or past.  You must allow for the speaker's voice.

Dialogue is a tricky thing. Too many words it sounds fake, too little it sounds stilted.
You can get across the importance of the speech, the emotion of it by what surrounds the dialogue.
Ultimately it should sound natural.
smile

Quote Post 12

Re: Comma usage question

Definitely #!. When you combine such phrases, the "normal" comma rules don't apply, IMO. Commas create speed bumps and, when this is not the desired effect, should be uses sparingly.

Quote Post 13

Re: Comma usage question

jack the knife wrote:

Definitely #!. When you combine such phrases, the "normal" comma rules don't apply, IMO. Commas create speed bumps and, when this is not the desired effect, should be uses sparingly.

I agree, Jack. But as you can tell from reviewing me, I'm not the best at punctuation! smile

Quote Post 14

Re: Comma usage question

j p lundstrom wrote:
dagnee wrote:

I would take out with it:

You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and you will end all suffering everywhere.

It's really not needed and you won't have to use a comma. In fact you could go further and do this:

You will create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity and end suffering everywhere.
)
Just a thought.
smile

I agree, Dagnee--no comma needed. I like your amended version.

When I'm not sure, I say it out loud to see if I pause naturally, then try saying it with other inflections. It's a joke about actors, but it really helps. Of course, (see what I did there?) I can still make mistakes. That's why God created tnbw.

This is a good idea, especially if it is dialogue.

Quote Post 15

16 Reply by Janet Taylor-Perry (edited by Janet Taylor-Perry 2017-03-25 00:14:28)

Re: Comma usage question

3 if you keep the comma, but I think dagnee has the best idea. But no matter, you need the comma with the conjunction and compound sentence.

Quote Post 16

Re: Comma usage question

Funny thing. As the opinions were rolling in, I realized I needed to change the sentence, eliminating the need for this post. :-)

If you're curious, the final version is:

Your destiny is to create a new paradise across the stars for all humanity. You won’t just prevent the Apocalypse, you will end all suffering everywhere.

Thanks to all for their input.

Quote Post 17

18 Reply by njc

Re: Comma usage question

Optional comma before 'everywhere'.

Quote Post 18