This is an issue that is VERY misunderstood. I am copying here the section from my book, beginning on page 401 in the chapter on "Where NOT to Put Punctuation." Normally, I do not copy an entire section, but this one bears reading in its entirety.
27.9: No Punctuation: In Compound Dependent Construction
Definition
Compound Construction:
Compound construction is two or more grammatical elements -- words, phrases, or clauses -- that are joined by a coordinate conjunction:
and,
but,
or,
nor, and sometimes the word
for.
She had searched the
house but not the
garage.
I did not know
where to go or
what to do.
I called
because I hadn’t heard from her and
because I was worried.
Definition
Dependent Clause: A
dependent clause is a group of related words that has a subject and verb; that does not stand alone to express a complete thought because it has an introductory word (a relative pronoun or a subordinate conjunction), which is part of the dependent clause; and that, as a unit, has a function in the sentence.
I don’t know (
whether he will be waiting).
The doctor (
whom I called) was able to prescribe it.
(
While he was sleeping), someone broke into the house.
I am asking (whether you were able to clearly see the door of the liquor store).
There are several here (that seem to fit the bill).
(Because he had had a prior accident), there were insurance questions.
See Chapters 5 and 6 for a discussion of dependent clauses.
RULE:
No Punctuation.9: Do not put a single separating comma in compound dependent construction, that is, when a coordinate conjunction joins elements that cannot stand alone to express a complete thought.
The office manager
handled that, NO and
did a good job.
The office manager
handled that YES and
did a good job.
I
saw her early, NO but
didn’t
see her again that day.
I
saw her early YES but
didn’t
see her again that day.
The bank
foreclosed, NO but
didn’t
find a new buyer for the house.
The bank
foreclosed YES but
didn’t
find a new buyer for the house.
- Joining completer words = no comma
The names are
Jonas Kent in accounting, NO and
Jim Hertz in human relations.
The names are
Jonas Kent in accounting YES and
Jim Hertz in human relations.
He did not know
whether to tell her at all, NO and
what exactly to say.
He did not know
whether to tell her at all YES and
what exactly to say.
Leaving the house, NO or
coming out of work, she needs to be more aware.
Leaving the house YES or
coming out of work, she needs to be more aware.
- Joining two prepositional phrases = no comma
She remained unimpressed by
Ray Ordoñez, NO or by his
entourage.
She remained unimpressed by
Ray Ordoñez YES or by his
entourage.
You will find it
across the street, NO and
down the block.
You will find it
across the street YES and
down the block.
It was always parked
in the garage, NO or
near the front door.
It was always parked
in the garage YES or
near the front door.
- Joining dependent clauses = no comma
If Mr. Handel had been there, NO and
if he had been aware of the situation, he would have spoken to her regarding her behavior.
If Mr. Handel had been there YES and
if he had been aware of the situation, he would have spoken to her regarding her behavior.
I was in agreement
because they hadn’t done the due diligence, NO and
because they did not have all the details.
I was in agreement
because they hadn’t done the due diligence YES and
because they did not have all the details.
The company had to be sold
after the major account was lost, NO and
after the president absconded with the funds.
The company had to be sold
after the major account was lost YES and
after the president absconded with the funds.
Discussion
Remember that, when a coordinate conjunction is followed by an
independent subject and verb -- that is, a subject and verb that can stand alone to express a complete thought -- there is a comma before the conjunction.
I had worked there for years, but I didn’t know everyone on a first-name basis.
She would call late in the day, or she would swing by the house.
There were five of them there, and I had seven more.
And as we have seen in the examples above, when there is anything other than an independent subject and verb after the coordinate conjunction, there is not a comma.
He wanted me to sign the paper, NO or reject the deal.
He wanted me to sign the paper YES or reject the deal.
She looked in the garage, NO but not in the attic.
She looked in the garage YES but not in the attic.
The company had put out feelers, NO but had no offers at all.
The company had put out feelers YES but had no offers at all.
Reporting
When we have compound clauses, sometimes we leave out the introductory word in the second or third clause. This is particularly true in spoken language.
...(if he comes over later) and (if he has the time to look at the set)...
...(if he comes over later) and (--- he has the time to look at the set)...
...(after the session ended) and (after I had a chance to reflect on it)...
...(after the session ended) and (--- I had a chance to reflect on it)...
...(when you finish the project) and (when you are writing the critique)...
...(when you finish the project) and (--- you are writing the critique)...
Since we know that the coordinate conjunction cannot link elements that are not grammatically equal, it has to be that these are dependent clauses and that the introductory word is just missing. And since they are then dependent clauses in compound construction, there is no comma before the conjunction.
The company had to be sold (after the major account was lost), NO and (after the president absconded with the funds).
The company had to be sold (after the major account was lost), NO and (the president absconded with the funds).
The company had to be sold (after the major account was lost) YES and (the president absconded with the funds).
(If you call early in the day), NO and (if you get the information for me), I can fill out the application right away.
(If you call early in the day), NO and (you get the information for me), I can fill out the application right away.
(If you call early in the day) YES and (you get the information for me), I can fill out the application right away.
It was apparent (that she was in dire straits), NO and (that she needed help).
It was apparent (that she was in dire straits), NO and (she needed help).
It was apparent (that she was in dire straits) YES and (she needed help).
Happy punctuating!!
Margie
