Comma Question

Question

So I understand joining two independent clauses with a comma and a conjunction, but sometimes I see a sentence that uses a comma without a conjunction that isn't an introduction.

Here's an example:

With chocolate for dessert, we just couldn't help ourselves.

Why would you put a comma there?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Hi Telltale, Thanks for joining us. Welcome to English Forums.

I would indeed put the comma there. (I usually overpunctuate!)

The phrase "with chocolate for dessert" doesn't make it as a clause. I'd call it a prepositional phrase, modifying the subject of the sentence, "We."

Perhaps you can find an example where two clauses are joined by a comma. Chances are, one of them will not be independent, but we're open for business.

Bear in mind that many "dependent" clauses are non-essential, or non-defining, and as such are usually set off by commas.

A good test might be, when you suspect a clause is independent, forget about the rest of the sentence and read your clause out loud. Does it make sense all by itself, without needing to add any part of the rest of the sentence?

Best wishes, - A.

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