Trailing elements - Punctuation - Style

Student's guide to writing college papers, Fourth edition - Kate L. Turabian 2010

Trailing elements
Punctuation
Style

Many elements that can introduce a main clause can also trail it. In most cases, these trailing elements do not need punctuation. But in three cases they do.

22.4.1 Summary

Most trailing elements are not set off by punctuation. Here are three cases in which you can set them off.

1. Use commas to separate a trailer from a long main clause.

2. Use commas to separate one trailer from a previous one.

3. Use a comma or a dash to create an emphasizing pause.

22.4.2 Three Ways to Punctuate Trailing Elements

In most cases you do not need to set off a trailing element with a comma.

Introducer: Despite the many concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants and their waste disposal, it seems inevitable that the United States will increase its nuclear footprint.

Trailer: It seems inevitable that the United States will increase its nuclear footprint despite the many concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants and their waste disposal.

Introducer: Although the IRS has few auditors and antiquated data processing,taxpayers remain fearful enough to be deterred from cheating.

Trailer: Taxpayers remain fearful enough to be deterred from cheating even though the IRS has few auditors and antiquated data processing.

There are, however, three situations in which you may set off a trailing element—if, that is, you think it might help your readers.

1. Use a comma to set off a trailing element if the main clause is long and complex, especially if the trailer is also long.

Missile defense systems, which have an overwhelming number of variables that must be managed, make more sense in the abstract than in the reality,main clause because in the long run an engineering project can only be as successful as our understanding of the problem it is trying to solve.trailer

2. Use a comma to set off one trailing element that follows another, especially if what has come before is long and complex.

Competitors will respond main clause when a new advertising campaign reframes the terms in which customers think about a product,trailer 1 because they cannot be put out of the running for “share of mind.”trailer 2 Organic produce proved to sell primarily in luxury markets main clause despite the fact that the poor are in greatest need of its obvious health benefits,trailer 1 as we predicted.trailer 2

3. Use a comma or a dash to create a pause that emphasizes a trailing element.

I knew you would break your promise and go, because you always go.

I knew you would break your promise and go, as you always do.

There are, however, several situations in which you may set off a trailing element—if, that is, you think it might help your readers.