How Does an Editor Handle…?

In writing and proofreading for my clients, I often come across editorial issues that fall in the “gray zone.” Grammar and mechanics don’t always have black-and-white answers. Often there is more than one approach considered to be correct. Sometimes one approach is better; sometimes not.

Below are a couple of editorial issues I frequently see and how I handle them.

Does “too” need a comma before it?

Example: She was going to the park. He said he was going to the park, too.

Short answer: It’s fine with or without a comma in front of it.

Longer answer: The main use for the comma in this instance is a matter of timing. Does your message need a pause before the “too”? If so, use the comma. If not, keep it out. The difference is subtle, so don’t spend too much time thinking about this one.

How do you punctuate “however” in the middle of a sentence?

Example: I was going to go to the pool the other day; however, a work project got in the way. (True story!)

Short answer: The correct way to punctuate this sentence is as I wrote it above.

Longer answer: “However” can function in a few different ways. You could also write that sentence as two sentences:

I was going to go to the pool the other day. However, a work project got in the way.

The way you should not punctuate that use of “however” is with two commas:

WRONG: I was going to go to the pool the other day, however, a work project got in the way.

That’s because the sentence has two independent clauses (subject and verb in each and are complete thoughts) and the comma is too weak to join them together.

If “however” means “no matter how” as in the following case, no comma after is needed:

However it works out, I will get to the pool before the week is over.

“However” can also appear in the middle of a sentence, this time with commas, when it means “nevertheless,” as in this sentence:

It might rain, however, on the day when I finally have time to get to the pool.

Moral of the story: Don’t be afraid to use the semicolon, like in that first example. (And also, I solved this whole dilemma by going to the pool on Saturday!)

Something You Might Not Know About Me…

30 feet in diameter at the base, 16’ in diameter, 48’ up

I prefer being among trees to being on a beach (not that I can’t enjoy a nice beach!). I’m looking forward to spending some time in the pretty woods of southern Indiana next week while I’m on vacation.

(Pictured are beautiful and amazing giant sequoias from a trip to California last summer.)

Discussion Questions

What’s up? I’d love to hear from you! Some things you might want to share:

• What are some editorial issues you often see come up?
• Do you have any burning grammatical questions I could help answer?
• What would you choose: beach or forest?

Like this post? Sign up here for once-a-month updates from me.