Rule 3 from 11 Rules of Writing
Do not use commas to bracket phrases that are essential to a sentence's meaning.
Examples
-
Incorrect: The man, who has too many ties, has too few necks.
-
Correct: The man who has too many ties has too few necks.
-
Incorrect: The cats, with six toes, are a unique attraction of the tour of Hemingway's house.
-
Correct: The cats with six toes are a unique attraction of the tour of Hemingway's house.
References
More information about this rule is available from the following sources.
Online Resources: - The Elements of Style: rule 3
Printed Resources: (see Books on Writing section)
- Strunk and White: 1-3
- Hacker: P1-e
