[Grammar] Comma preceding an adverbial clause?

Eric Davis said:

I have noticed in several writings the use of a commas that precede adverbial clauses. Having read much on the subject, I am a little confused regarding this practice. I always thought that an adverbial clause, when appearing at the end of a sentence, was not preceded by a comma. There is a subtle reason for using a comma before an adverbial clause that escapes my perception, and I am hoping someone can explain its purpose.


"I know he committed suicide, because his wife told me."

I can understand its use in the above sentence, but elsewhere I am lacking understanding.

Help...

Click to expand...

TheParser said:

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, Mr. Davis.

(1) I don't know whether the following is helpful, but I offer it for your consideration (in case you don't already know it).

(a) I didn't come to the party, because Tom was there. (I hate Tom. He was at the party. So I did not come.) (Comma gives us necessary pause)

(b) I didn't come to the party because Tom was there. (Everybody knows that I hate Tom. But that is NOT the reason I missed the party. I had a personal emergency.) (No comma because you need to say the whole sentence with a rising, uninterrupted tone in your voice)

(c) I don't read Newspaper X, because I don't like it. (No explanation needed)

(d) I don't read Newspaper X because I don't like it. (In fact, I love it. But it's too expensive for me. That's why I don't read it.)

Have a nice day!

Click to expand...

Eric Davis said:

HUh... Well, I'm not certain that that is correct. I did find one example online, though. It stated that when a negative verb phrase precedes a because clause, the clause may or may not require a comma, depending on the meaning of the sentence.

"They did not elect Wilson because he is outspoken."
"They did not elect Wilson, because he is outspoken."

The first sentence is saying that they may have elected Wilson but not because he is outspoken. The second sentence is saying that the fact that Wilson is outspoken is why they didn't elect him.

Click to expand...

Eric Davis said:

I'm still having a hard time digesting the notion that a simple comma can alter the meaning of a sentence in such a drastic way. Where else does it perform this trick, I wonder. :shock:

The online reference is not very thorough, I'm sorry to say.

Click to expand...

fighting spirit said:

This trick is also performed in Relative Clauses.
Examples:

1. My sister who lives in Bulgaria is a teacher.
Meaning: I have more than one sister. Just the one who lives in Bulgaria is a teacher.

2. My sister, who lives in Bulgaria, is a teacher.
Meaning: I have only one sister. She is a teacher, and by the way, she lives in Bulgaria.

Click to expand...

TheParser said:

Good afternoon, Mr. Davis.

(1) I promise (Scout's honor), this is my last post in this thread.

(2) I have located the "exhaustive resource" about commas that you are looking for.

(3) The author devotes 20 pages to every use of the comma (including -- yes! -- the comma or lack thereof before a "because" clause).

(4) The book is titled MODERN AMERICAN USAGE by Wilson Follett. I have the 1980 edition.

(5) I don't know whether there is a newer edition. I guess you could check out a copy at a local library. In the back of the book, there is section devoted to punctuation.

Have a nice day!

*****

P. S. I have not reported to you what he said about "because" clauses and the comma, because I don't understand the explanation well enough to try teaching it to someone else. I am pretty sure you will be delighted with his book as am I -- at least with the parts I can understand.

Click to expand...