PUNCTUATING INTERRUPTERS WITH COMMAS
In this module, you will learn to use commas correctly with
 Interrupting expressions
 Persons being addressed
 Introductory material.
Introduction
We'll investigate the uses of the comma when we write sentences in which we use
interrupting expressions, directly address a person, and use introductory material.
Interrupting Expressions
Interrupting expressions within a sentence or at either end serve a function for the writer.
These interrupting expressions (sometimes called afterthoughts) are not essential to the
meaning of the sentence in which they appear.
The punctuation of interrupting expressions is really quite simple; we won't spend much
time on it. The important thing at this point is to get an idea of what we can have the
interrupters do for our writing.
To begin, let's have a look at a sentence containing an interrupter and determine what the
interrupter is accomplishing. Then we'll look at how we can determine if an interrupter is
really an interrupter.
Interrupters allow us to make personal comments.
Personal Comments
Using interrupters allows us to insert our opinions into our sentences. Consisting usually of
a single word, at other times a phrase or very short clause, the insertion draws very little
notice to itself.
These inserted opinions, or personal comments, have no grammatical connection to the
clause or sentence in which they appear. Thus, the punctuation is simplified. Punctuate
interrupters in the same manner as you would punctuate parenthetical material ("Dealing
with Correlative Conjunctions and Parenthetical Subjects" ). Let's look at the different
effects we can create by using interrupters effectively.
Sentence:
"The office party will be cancelled this year."
The above sentence makes a plain, unadorned statement. But suppose you have written
the sentence as part of a larger piece for your company newsletter. Let's suppose further
that you want to express an opinion--express your feelings toward the entire sentence. An
interrupter will do just that for you.
Agreement:
"The office party will, MERCIFULLY, be cancelled this year."
Disagreement:
"TO THE DISMAY OF ALL, the office party will be cancelled this year."
Surprise:
"The office party will be cancelled this year, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT."
Do you see how you can insert your opinion into the sentence without calling too much
attention to yourself as the writer?
Here's a short, categorized list of interrupting words, phrases, and clauses you can use for
your opinionated insertions.
Supportive:
By no means, by all means, by any means, in all likelihood.
Conditional:
Ideally, if needed, possibly, if possible, if warranted.
Factual:
In actual fact, frankly, in all honesty, obviously, doubtlessly, predictably.
Detached:
Perhaps, maybe, doubtfully, unlikely.
Evasive:
Reportedly, according to sources, it has been reliably reported, allegedly.
Many more possibilities exist. I'll leave those discoveries up to you.
Punctuation
An interrupter is punctuated in the same manner as parenthetical information. In other
words, the commas that isolate interrupters tell the reader that the interrupter is not
necessary to the meaning of the sentence.
When an interrupter appears in a sentence, set the interrupter off with two commas. If the
interrupter appears at the beginning or end of a sentence, set the interrupter off with one
comma. Examples of this punctuation appear below.
"The victim, presumably, called the police at the first opportunity."
"Presumably, the victim called the police at the first opportunity."
"The victim called the police at the first opportunity, presumably."
Recognition
You can recognize interrupters because they interrupt the flow of the sentence. This
interruption is caused by the punctuation needed to signify the nonessentiality of the
interrupter. Let's have a look at four sentences in which we'll identify interrupters then
prove whether or not they are, in fact, interrupters.
Sentence:
"The invoice had, however, been sent to the wrong department."
Problem:
We have written what we believe to be a correct sentence containing an interrupter
(expressing a distancing--an innocence). Now we must prove that the interrupter is really
an interrupter and that it is punctuated correctly.
Proof
We remove the interrupter and its punctuation.
"The invoice had
been sent to the wrong department."
What remains must be a grammatically correct and correctly punctuated sentence.
We see that our sentence is correctly punctuated as it has been written.
Now let's try a variation of the same sentence to see if our proof really works.
Sentence:
"The invoice had been sent, however, it went to the wrong department."
Let's lift the "interrupter" and its punctuation.
The invoice had been sent
it went to the wrong department.
Although what remains is grammatically correct, the sentence is incorrectly punctuated.
Therefore, the word "however" is not an interrupter. The sentence requires other
punctuation.
Addressed persons
You will have occasion to address people directly in your business correspondence.
Amongst other things, you may be responsible for creating letters of various tones.
To pacify irate customers:
"We are devastated, sir, at having billed you twice for the same article."
To request information:
"Ms. Garson, would you be kind enough to let us know when we will receive payment."
To admonish employees:
"Such behaviour at company parties will no longer be tolerated, Mr. Groper."
We need not belabor this point. Let's just say that the names, titles, and names and titles
of persons being directly addressed are set off with commas. Treat persons addressed as
parenthetical information.
Introductory Material
The correct punctuation of introductory material is in itself a great achievement because
every textbook appears to offer a different version of this phenomenon. The rules
surrounding the punctuation of introductory material are complex, indeed.
What some authorities consider introductory material, others do not. Hence, many
contradictory rules have been established. So more and more good writers are placing
commas after all introductory material. This approach is efficient and in no way detracts
from the accuracy of the communication. Consequently, we will adopt this approach.
Definition
Introductory material includes any word or group of words that comes before the complete
subject of an independent clause.
Rule
Place a comma after all introductory material.
Our definition and rule steer us to the conclusion that dependent clauses, at times, can be
introductory material. Yes, it's true that dependent clauses, when they come before an
independent clause, constitute introductory material. Here's an example.
Sentence:
"After the sun had set, the air became cold and damp."
Let's have a look at a few other types of introductory material.
Other Introductory Material
"NO, you may not use any reference material."
NO is introductory material, coming before the complete subject of the independent
clause. So the comma after NO is justified.
Let's create a variation of the above sentence and look for a trap we may fall into.
"And you may not use any reference material."
In the above variation, the conjunction "and" comes before the subject of the independent
clause. But we do not place a comma after "and" because co-ordinating conjunctions and
subordinating conjunctions are never considered as introductory material.
Other Examples
"To line up the two components, Martin used a ruler and a level."
"Look, I want you to do this right the first time."
"Starting today, all expense claims must be accompanied with receipts."
Practice
Insert the correct comma punctuation into the five sentences below. Note whether your
punctuation problem is an interrupter, introductory material, a person addressed, or a
combination. If no comma punctuation is required, consider the sentence to be correct.
The answers are at the end of this instructional lesson.
Sentence #1:
"The exam was however a true test of ability."
Sentence #2:
"In 1492 an enthusiastic Italian sea captain it has been claimed discovered America."
Sentence #3:
"See this is the proper way to address the envelope Mary."
Sentence #4:
"In broad daylight John these bums if you can believe it mugged a police officer."
Sentence #5;
"It seems that this is the way they do it."
Answers:
Sentence #1: "The exam was, however, a true test of ability."
An interrupter.
Sentence #2: "In 1492, an enthusiastic Italian sea captain, it has been claimed, discovered
America."
Introductory material plus an interrupter.
NOTE: The introductory material comes before the complete subject.
Sentence #3: "See, this is the proper way to address the envelope, Mary."
Introductory material and a person addressed.
Sentence #4: "In broad daylight, John, these bums, if you can believe it, mugged a police
officer."
Introductory material, a person addressed, and interrupting material.
Sentence #5: Correct. "It seems that this is the way they do it."
No punctuation is required because what appears to be introductory material comes
before the subject of a dependent clause. In fact "It seems" is the independent clause
forming the core of this sentence. The clause pattern is Independent + dependent +
dependent (the "that" subordinating conjunction in the last clause is hidden (dropped), an
accepted writing technique.
Exercises
Select the number of the correctly punctuated sentence. The answers appear after the last
question.
1.
A. Off the record, I feel, that the new government has a good chance of succeeding.
B. Off the record I feel, that the new government has a good chance of succeeding.
C. Off the record, I feel that the new government has a good chance of succeeding.
2.
A. The number of customer complaints, it would seem, is decreasing quite quickly.
B. The number of customer complaints it would seem, is decreasing quite quickly.
C. The number of customer complaints, it would seem is decreasing quite quickly.
3.
A. By the way may I compliment you on your promotion.
B. By the way, may I compliment you on your promotion.
C. By the way, may I, compliment you on your promotion.
4.
A. Be careful, Edwina of how you respond to crank mail.
B. Be careful Edwina, of how you respond to crank mail.
C. Be careful, Edwina, of how you respond to crank mail.
5.
A. Roberta, the invitations should be mailed without delay.
B. Roberta, the invitations, should be mailed without delay.
C. Roberta the invitations should be mailed, without delay.
6.
A. I think, Father that you should buy me a car for my birthday.
B. I think, Father, that you should buy me a car for my birthday.
C. I think Father, that you should buy me a car for my birthday.
7.
A. In conclusion, Mr. Silicon will speak about his travels in the Sahara.
B. In conclusion Mr. Silicon, will speak about his travels in the Sahara.
C. In conclusion, Mr. Silicon, will speak about his travels in the Sahara.
8.
A. The complaint letter you wrote, Ms. Jones, has been it seems misplaced.
B. The complaint letter you wrote, Ms. Jones, has been it seems, misplaced.
C. The complaint letter you wrote, Ms. Jones, has been, it seems, misplaced.
9.
A. Sheepishly, Braik, placed the broken figurine back onto the shelf.
B. Sheepishly, Braik placed the broken figurine back onto the shelf.
C. Sheepishly Braik, placed the broken figurine back onto the shelf.
10.
A. No, I did not in fact see the vehicle approach the intersection.
B. No, I did not; in fact, see the vehicle approach the intersection.
C. No, I did not, in fact, see the vehicle approach the intersection.
11.
A. See, Roseanna the transaction is cancelled like this.
B. See Roseanna, the transaction is cancelled like this.
C. See, Roseanna, the transaction is cancelled like this.
12.
A. Yes by all means, Irena, you may invite Roman for dinner.
B. Yes, by all means, Irena you may invite Roman for dinner.
C. Yes, by all means, Irena, you may invite Roman for dinner.
Answers
1, C. 2, A. 3, B. 4, C. 5, A. 6, B. 7, A. 8, C. 9, B. 10, C. 11, C. 12, C.