Why sometimes it is correct not to put a comma after an if-clause?

5

There is a recommendation to put a comma after an if-clause which is placed at the beginning of a sentence. For example:

If there was the time when songs like this were not needed, I would not live to see it.

But here is the sentence:

If you had married this girl you would have been wretched.

Why does it go with no comma?

Aer

Posted 2019-01-12T11:49:02.097

Reputation: 385

Answers

5

In that case I would say the comma is just there for clarity. You can easily interpret a simple, short sentence, but a longer one with no commas would be harder to comprehend.

user43712

Posted 2019-01-12T11:49:02.097

Reputation: 151

To be a little more explicit: a recommendation is only a recommendation. It's a useful thing to consider, but following it won't always be necessary or even a good idea. – Darael – 2019-01-12T14:50:33.717

Asked: 2019-01-12T11:49:02.097

Viewed: 107 times

Active: 2019-01-12T17:26:53.210