Sentence Punctuation: More Pointers

> A note about although. Even though although may seem to have the same general sense as however or but, it is a subordinating conjunction (however is a transitional word, and but is a coordinating conjunction). Therefore, unless there is some other reason to do so, although is not followed by a comma. It can't be used to introduce an independent clause either.

Although he prefers math to English is not a complete thought.

Although, he prefers math to Engish is not a complete thought either. It is a dependent clause that has been incorrectly punctuated.

He does well in English; although, he prefers math to English is not correct. The sentence treats although (a subordinating conjunction) as if it were however (a transitional word).

The correct punctuation is either He does well in English although he prefers math to English (no comma at all) or He does well in English, although he prefers math to English (comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause but still no comma after although. (This is an example of an instance in which we have an option whether to set off the closing dependent clause with a comma. If we want to give a little more emphasis to the contrast expressed by the although clause, we may opt for using the comma.)

> The above example gives us an opportunity to examine our many options for expressing the same idea. Notice how the punctuation differs depending on the sentence structure (or type) and the connecting word that is used. All these sentences are correct.

Compound sentence using a coordinating conjunction: He prefers math to English, but he does well in English.

Same sentence reversed: He does well in English, but he prefers math to English.

A more concise version of the above (still a compound sentence): He does well in English, but he prefers math.

Compound sentence using a transitional word: He does well in English; however, he prefers math to English. (Concise version: He does well in English; however, he prefers math.)

Same sentence reversed and using a different transitional word: He prefers math to English; nevertheless, he does well in English.

Complex sentence with dependent clause first: Although he prefers math to English, he does well in English.

Same sentence with the ideas reversed but still with the dependent clause first: Although he does well in English, he prefers math to English.

A more concise version of the above: Although he does well in English, he prefers math.

Complex sentence with the dependent clause at the end: He prefers math to English, although he does well in English. (Comma is optional.)

Same sentence reversed: He does well in English, although he prefers math to English. (Comma is optional.)

A more concise version of the above: He does well in English, although he prefers math. (Comma is optional.)

If we take advantage of the many ways we have to express two related ideas in one sentence (even simple ideas such as these), we can write prose that is more effective and interesting, less monotonous and boring.

> One very common punctuation error is the result of confusing a simple sentence that has two verbs and a compound sentence that has two clauses (i.e., two subjects, each with its own verb). Consider this correctly punctuated sentence:

He prefers math to English but does well in English anyway.

This is a simple sentence, not a compound sentence. It has only one subject (He); thus, it contains only one clause. The word he is not repeated as a second subject, as it is in all of the examples of compound and complex sentences listed above. The subject, stated only once, has two verbs: He prefers . . . [but] does . . . ." We call this a simple sentence with a compound verb. Traditionally, we do not separate the two verbs of a compound verb by a comma. A broader rule is: Delete commas that immediately precede or follow coordinating conjunctions unless they link independent clauses.

Incorrect: She fed the cat, and put it out for the night.
[Separation of compound verbs (fed and put out)]
Correct: She fed the cat and put it out for the night.

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