Punctuation 3
The plot thickens... This post may be polemical.
I told you I was going to comment on a few differences between the English and the Portuguese punctuation rules, but the following rule is the same for both languages:
2. Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause.
Here’s an example of an introductory clause:
• If I really want to learn English, I’ll have to study more.
Here’s an example of an introductory phrase:
• After considering the alternatives, she decided not to go.
Some guides say, “If the phrase has fewer than three words, the comma is optional.”
(I’m totally making up the following example. I would never omit this comma. Maybe there is something missing in this exception rule?)
• After the rain, she saw a rainbow.
or
• After the rain she saw a rainbow.
But here’s an example that works for me:
• On September 24, he was arrested by FBI agents.
or
• On September 24 he was arrested by FBI agents.
Examples of introductory words:
• He told me not to do it; however, I did it.
• Yes, this may be a good idea.
• Well, I never thought you would agree.
Now, this is all and well. As I said, it works the same way in Portuguese. But!
Traditionally, formal written English requires writers to use a comma after introductory elements, that is, after clauses or phrases that are at the beginning of a sentence. However, the trend among contemporary writers - even well-educated, professional writers - is to punctuate more lightly, using fewer marks of punctuation. Readers too seem to prefer this contemporary style, feeling that the traditional punctuation practices create text that looks over-punctuated and "heavy."
It’s not that I didn’t notice the trend. I did. But this trend goes against my “instict” as a writer. We don't have a similar trend in Brazil. If the phrase has fewer than three words, I'm okay with omitting the comma. But with a longer phrase? It’s too... violent for me. You may think I’m exaggerating, but your native language is a part of you. Some authors whose first language is not English but who write in English decide to keep their "foreign accent", and some of them are successful.
Besides, I don’t write only for English speaking readers. I know that I have readers whose first language is Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and who knows which other languages!
There is more than one question involved here:
1) The contemporary writers are not following this specific Grammar rule. Is that a correct assumption? If it’s a correct assumption, is it a good or a bad thing? Some people may like it, other people may not.
2) An author whose first language is not English but who writes in English cannot become a native writer of English. Should s/he even try?
There is no simple, unique answer to these questions. For me, it’s a difficult decision. For now, I’m following the English Grammar rules, and not the contemporary trend. But this may change in the future.
I told you I was going to comment on a few differences between the English and the Portuguese punctuation rules, but the following rule is the same for both languages:
2. Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause.
Here’s an example of an introductory clause:
• If I really want to learn English, I’ll have to study more.
Here’s an example of an introductory phrase:
• After considering the alternatives, she decided not to go.
Some guides say, “If the phrase has fewer than three words, the comma is optional.”
(I’m totally making up the following example. I would never omit this comma. Maybe there is something missing in this exception rule?)
• After the rain, she saw a rainbow.
or
• After the rain she saw a rainbow.
But here’s an example that works for me:
• On September 24, he was arrested by FBI agents.
or
• On September 24 he was arrested by FBI agents.
Examples of introductory words:
• He told me not to do it; however, I did it.
• Yes, this may be a good idea.
• Well, I never thought you would agree.
Now, this is all and well. As I said, it works the same way in Portuguese. But!
Traditionally, formal written English requires writers to use a comma after introductory elements, that is, after clauses or phrases that are at the beginning of a sentence. However, the trend among contemporary writers - even well-educated, professional writers - is to punctuate more lightly, using fewer marks of punctuation. Readers too seem to prefer this contemporary style, feeling that the traditional punctuation practices create text that looks over-punctuated and "heavy."
It’s not that I didn’t notice the trend. I did. But this trend goes against my “instict” as a writer. We don't have a similar trend in Brazil. If the phrase has fewer than three words, I'm okay with omitting the comma. But with a longer phrase? It’s too... violent for me. You may think I’m exaggerating, but your native language is a part of you. Some authors whose first language is not English but who write in English decide to keep their "foreign accent", and some of them are successful.
Besides, I don’t write only for English speaking readers. I know that I have readers whose first language is Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and who knows which other languages!
There is more than one question involved here:
1) The contemporary writers are not following this specific Grammar rule. Is that a correct assumption? If it’s a correct assumption, is it a good or a bad thing? Some people may like it, other people may not.
2) An author whose first language is not English but who writes in English cannot become a native writer of English. Should s/he even try?
There is no simple, unique answer to these questions. For me, it’s a difficult decision. For now, I’m following the English Grammar rules, and not the contemporary trend. But this may change in the future.