Sentence Structure Help- Is this comma misplaced?

Some grammar rules (and embarrassing mistakes!) transcend the uniqueness of different regions and style guides. This new International Grammar section by OnlineBookClub.org ultimately identifies those rules thus providing a simple, flexible rule-set, respecting the differences between regions and style guides. You can feel free to ask general questions about spelling and grammar. You can also provide example sentences for other members to proofread and inform you of any grammar mistakes.

Moderator: Official Reviewer Representatives

Post Reply
User avatar
Kaitlyn Canedy
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 3268
Joined: 28 Jul 2019, 20:55
Favorite Author: Napoleon Hill
Favorite Book: Too Old Too Soon
Currently Reading: Totem
Bookshelf Size: 508
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kaitlyn-canedy.html
Latest Review: The Date Farm by Jack Winnick
2024 Reading Goal: 12
2024 Goal Completion: 0%

Sentence Structure Help- Is this comma misplaced?

Post by Kaitlyn Canedy »

Hi,

I am trying to figure out if the comma in this sentence is correct or not. I am having trouble trying to find any solid information about it, which is why I decided to ask you all. If you have any reputable sources for me that I missed, that would be great! Thank you in advance.

"I used to play tennis, but as I got older, I stopped being interested in it."
"I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant, it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.”- Mewtwo
User avatar
MsH2k
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 4723
Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 11:11
Favorite Book: Crushing
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 366
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-msh2k.html
Latest Review: Lilleah by eelonqa K harris

Post by MsH2k »

I’m not sure which comma you are referring to, but both are fine as written. The first one is before a coordinating conjunction separating two independent clauses. The second one is after a subordinate clause preceding the main clause (of the second independent clause). This link addresses both scenarios separately, but it works the same when they are together.
I hope this helps! :greetings-waveyellow:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
"Knowing what must be done does away with fear."
Rosa Parks
User avatar
Kaitlyn Canedy
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 3268
Joined: 28 Jul 2019, 20:55
Favorite Author: Napoleon Hill
Favorite Book: Too Old Too Soon
Currently Reading: Totem
Bookshelf Size: 508
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kaitlyn-canedy.html
Latest Review: The Date Farm by Jack Winnick
2024 Reading Goal: 12
2024 Goal Completion: 0%

Post by Kaitlyn Canedy »

MsH2k wrote: 08 Nov 2021, 21:06 I’m not sure which comma you are referring to, but both are fine as written. The first one is before a coordinating conjunction separating two independent clauses. The second one is after a subordinate clause preceding the main clause (of the second independent clause). This link addresses both scenarios separately, but it works the same when they are together.
I hope this helps! :greetings-waveyellow:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
Hi! I did forget to specify which comma I was referring to, but I was referring to the first one after the "but." I am confused because if the phrase that starts with "but" is removed, this would mean that the sentence becomes a run-on.
"I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant, it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.”- Mewtwo
User avatar
MsH2k
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 4723
Joined: 31 Jul 2019, 11:11
Favorite Book: Crushing
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 366
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-msh2k.html
Latest Review: Lilleah by eelonqa K harris

Post by MsH2k »

Katie Canedy wrote: 09 Nov 2021, 19:44
MsH2k wrote: 08 Nov 2021, 21:06 I’m not sure which comma you are referring to, but both are fine as written. The first one is before a coordinating conjunction separating two independent clauses. The second one is after a subordinate clause preceding the main clause (of the second independent clause). This link addresses both scenarios separately, but it works the same when they are together.
I hope this helps! :greetings-waveyellow:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
Hi! I did forget to specify which comma I was referring to, but I was referring to the first one after the "but." I am confused because if the phrase that starts with "but" is removed, this would mean that the sentence becomes a run-on.
"I used to play tennis, but as I got older, I stopped being interested in it."

"But as I got older" is not being treated as a nonessential element. The comma before "but" is separating the two independent clauses. It is as if there are two separate sentences:
I used to play tennis. But as I got older, I stopped being interested in it.

"As I got older" is a subordinate clause and takes a comma after it because it precedes the main clause "I stopped being interested in it." It does not require a comma before it. Point 4 in this reference discusses this situation: http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/commas.htm
"Knowing what must be done does away with fear."
Rosa Parks
User avatar
Kaitlyn Canedy
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 3268
Joined: 28 Jul 2019, 20:55
Favorite Author: Napoleon Hill
Favorite Book: Too Old Too Soon
Currently Reading: Totem
Bookshelf Size: 508
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kaitlyn-canedy.html
Latest Review: The Date Farm by Jack Winnick
2024 Reading Goal: 12
2024 Goal Completion: 0%

Post by Kaitlyn Canedy »

MsH2k wrote: 09 Nov 2021, 22:40
Katie Canedy wrote: 09 Nov 2021, 19:44
MsH2k wrote: 08 Nov 2021, 21:06 I’m not sure which comma you are referring to, but both are fine as written. The first one is before a coordinating conjunction separating two independent clauses. The second one is after a subordinate clause preceding the main clause (of the second independent clause). This link addresses both scenarios separately, but it works the same when they are together.
I hope this helps! :greetings-waveyellow:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
Hi! I did forget to specify which comma I was referring to, but I was referring to the first one after the "but." I am confused because if the phrase that starts with "but" is removed, this would mean that the sentence becomes a run-on.
"I used to play tennis, but as I got older, I stopped being interested in it."

"But as I got older" is not being treated as a nonessential element. The comma before "but" is separating the two independent clauses. It is as if there are two separate sentences:
I used to play tennis. But as I got older, I stopped being interested in it.

"As I got older" is a subordinate clause and takes a comma after it because it precedes the main clause "I stopped being interested in it." It does not require a comma before it. Point 4 in this reference discusses this situation: http://guidetogrammar.org/grammar/commas.htm
Okay, thank you! This makes so much more sense now. I appreciate it very much. :tiphat:
"I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant, it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.”- Mewtwo
Post Reply

Return to “International Grammar”