RE: Comma Usage

["David Downing" <DavidDowning -at- users -dot- com>]

My answer to question 1 is that the comma should be there, because
otherwise the sentence can be misunderstood.  Consider this:

If you can come early.

That looks like the first part of an incomplete sentence, but

If you can, come early.

makes it clear what you mean.

-----Original Message-----
From: LDurway -at- pav -dot- com [mailto:LDurway -at- pav -dot- com]
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2002 3:35 PM
Subject: Comma Usage


Question 1:
Does anyone here consider it an iron-clad rule that introductory
adverbial
clauses be set off with commas?

I was taught (by my mom, no less) that the following is incorrect:
"When they looked it up in the book they found they were wrong."

The corrected version is here:
"When they looked it up in the book, they found they were wrong."

Question 2:
What textbook/guide do you use as your authority on grammar?

I ask these questions because the New Yorker consistently omits that
comma,
and it drives me bonkers.  I'm going to sick my mom on 'em.

Lindsey

--
Lindsey Durway
Software Documentation
Pavilion Technologies
(512) 438-1521
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