[General] comma or no comma

[LaMelange]

Hello,

Here is my sentence:

The Caribbean region has evolved from a history of slavery, and today its development, as measured by GDP per capita and the Human Development Index, varies significantly from territory to territory.

Isn't a comma required after today? Or are such commas subjective?

Thanks again!

 

[Peedeebee]

I believe many commas are subjective.

Could you try testing it out with this short sentence/extract: Today its development varies.
Does it need a comma now? I think that may decide it.
(or to avoid the question; try , and its development today, ​)

 

[TheParser]

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

Hello, LaMelange:


I think that commas before and after "today" would be intolerable to today's readers.

Look at how ugly all those commas look:


"The Caribbean region has evolved from a history of slavery, and, today, its development, as measured by GDP per capita and the Human Development Index, varies significantly from territory to territory."

On the other hand, if you were giving a speech, then I think that it would be fine to surround "today" with pauses if you wanted to indicate the word "today" as a parenthetical word that you have decided to throw in for emphasis. You would be the only person to see the commas in the copy of your speech. And listeners would hear only the pauses. Personally, I would like the sound of setting off "today" with pauses.

 

[LaMelange]

Reading like this, I think we can do away with the comma! The last one is better, though! Thank you, Peedeebee!

 

[Peedeebee]

I'm glad to find everyone voting for fewer commas rather than more! I totally agree. My subjective instinct is to use as few as possible. Parenthesis phrases are the times when you really need them.
My experience is teaching children for many years and they like rules. If they think a pause always needs a comma they will always give it a comma and end up with far too many.
Connecting with Parser's and Piscean's suggestions, a good way to check is to read your work aloud and judge whether the pauses need written commas.

(They- children- also fall into the trap of comma splicing, but that's another story. )