Re: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if
Hi all, Have been fairly inactive for awhile, but now getting back in the swing of things. So I decided to take a shot at this one, before I read anyone else's responses... To me, your example looks awkward, even incorrect. And, according to that old stand-by, the Chicago Manual of Style, if the dependent clause (in this case, beginning with the word if) is restrictive-that is, it cannot be deleted without altering the meaning of the sentence-then a comma is not required. If the dependent clause is nonrestrictive, meaning it *can* be deleted without significantly altering the meaning of the statement, then it is required. In this case, that would mean that the comma is not required or expected. In any case, I would counsel against constructing a statement, such as the one you provided as an example, with the dependent clause at the end. I very strongly feel that conditional statements should always, always, ALWAYS place the condition *before* the action. Otherwise, the careless user (and there are a LOT of them out there) will typically perform the action and *then* read the condition and then go Oops! (or worse). So, I would never write a statement for users like the one you provide as an example. FWIW... Now I'll go read what others have opined. Hope this helps, Chuck Beck www.swan-cross.com -Original Message- From: tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com [mailto:tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com] On Behalf Of raj nair Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 10:57 To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if It is well-known that a comma is used if an if clause is at the beginning of a sentence. Is there a rule, an exception, where the reverse is true? For example, can this punctuation be right? Select the statement cache size, if you get a warning mesaage. Please share your thoughts. _ The world in moving pictures http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/archive.aspx __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if
Hi Raj, I believe one should not use a comma in the construct you give. The rule around the comma in this case is the Introductory Clause rule. It does not apply where the dependant clause follows an independent clause. My $.02 Chris -Original Message- From: tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com [mailto:tcp-boun...@techcommpros.com] On Behalf Of raj nair Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 7:57 AM To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if It is well-known that a comma is used if an if clause is at the beginning of a sentence. Is there a rule, an exception, where the reverse is true? For example, can this punctuation be right? Select the statement cache size, if you get a warning mesaage. Please share your thoughts. _ The world in moving pictures http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/archive.aspx __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if
I'd actually rewrite it to If you get a warning message, select the statement cache size. That way users don't do something without reading the text. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: raj nair raj_gree...@hotmail.com Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:26:40 To: tcp@techcommpros.com Subject: [TCP] Comma before clauses beginning with 'if It is well-known that a comma is used if an if clause is at the beginning of a sentence. Is there a rule, an exception, where the reverse is true? For example, can this punctuation be right? Select the statement cache size, if you get a warning mesaage. Please share your thoughts. _ The world in moving pictures http://news.in.msn.com/gallery/archive.aspx __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
