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The word “rather” is common in everyday situations, having several meanings and applications that native English speakers take for granted. In writing, however, using “rather” causes some concern because of uncertainty regarding the placement of associated commas.
The main thing to remember is that “rather” almost never takes a comma, but when it does, the comma is most often one of a pair that serves to set something apart and make it nonessential (hence, parenthetical) to the core meaning of the sentence. Finding “rather” attached to a single comma is rather rare.
When rather's not essential,
Two commas separate it,
And comma unilateral
Is never there permitted.
It's parenthetically
Diverting us with data
That's not required really,
A smoothish operator.
“One doesn't wish to linger
But, rather, keep on going;
The time to rest is yonder
When past the area daring.”
A single comma seldom
With safety is abounding,
And “rather” feels more winsome
With commas—two—attending.
So, “rather,” almost certain,
Eschews a single comma,
Unless conjunctive curtain
It hangs before the comma.
In being conjunctive adverb,
Connective function serving,
It joins two parts that contrast
Across a stop or such thing;
A semicolon often,
The bridge for many takers,
To “rather” then will shunt them,
Suggesting comma spacer.
“Let's not hold on to doubting
Forever; rather, let us
Advance with faith, asserting
That grace removes all onus.”
But when a simple adverb,
With meaning only “fairly,”
Or when it tells of preference,
Degree, or if exactly,
Or “rather than“ in complex
(With words between or after),
No comma leads and ushers
That “rather” in its barter.
“I'd rather peel an apple
Than juice a yellow lemon;
Get flavor rather subtle,
Not rather tempt a demon.”
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The field was full of tasty treats
Before that creature came
And packed a cheek with snacks to keep
Its “pocket gopher” name.
Arose then gopher cones of dirt
From tunnel rooms unseen,
As kingdom spaces underground
Were swept to keep them clean.
Inviting though the prospect was
To venture down below,
My canine snout would barely fit,
Much less my body go.
A bigger hole came into mind,
With thoughts of digging through,
But Lordly care did make it fair
Destruction to eschew.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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[Inspired by Hughes Mearn's Antigonish]
Yesterday while in the park,
I met a dog who didn't bark.
He didn't bark again today;
And yet a lot he had to say.
For though his lips were standing still,
There was a tree he'd marked at will.
I cocked a leg and promptly peed
To leave no doubt that I could read.
This evening when I sniffed near home,
I caught a message in the loam
To check the trees along the walk
So he could have a little talk.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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Pillows of willows rolling in meadows,
Marking the course of a singular creek;
Blushing the landscape with plumes of sienna,
Prelude to springtime and greenery most chic.
Subtle the colors, as just now awakening,
Wispy the leaves on tentative stems;
Barely surpassing their spectral origins,
Buds sitting quietly like genies and gems.
Strangely low key is this vital transition,
Muted the scene in a year-long play;
Moment of poignancy vested with purpose,
On its way a season to sway.
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This chinquapin with gold-backed leaves
May tantalize the gaze,
But spiny fruit that grow thereon
With hazards will amaze.
Their spines when young the brave will dare
To lightly test with touch,
To brush a fuzzy-looking sphere,
To think it's not too much.
If flying hedgehogs lived indeed,
This bush would camouflage;
Provide a nest above the herd,
A safety net enlarge.
I keep a watchful canine eye
When passing just in case
A pygmy hedgehog drops to earth--
Oh, what a chance to chase!
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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~Regarding whether in marketing a proofreader might claim to “have proven”~
That proof is in the pudding
Is proven after oven;
But “oven” within “proven”
Is proved by simple vision.
So here we see that “proven”
Is participle likewise
To “proved” in sentence given;
No doubt a cause of sad sighs.
For often it is questioned
Why these two words should battle
To prove the most deserving
To serve as only participle.
It leaves us quite unsettled
When choosing “proved” or “proven”:
What rule “has proved” its truth yet,
Or what “has proven” certain.
Though use by country varies,
Feel safe with “proved” in general.
It ends in “d” deliberate,
“Default” the clue in total.
For adjective, no quandary;
It's “proven,” recent risen.
Remember “proved” is also
The simple past when bidden.
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The manzanitas of my dream
Surpass their wake-bound kin,
With leaves more green and stems that gleam
In burnt sienna sin.
Their branches, thickly glazed and smooth
Like honey-coated claws,
Show clear a path for snout and tooth
Advancing without pause.
And here no little apples hang
But massive fruit in reach.
Low-lying bounty, mighty fang?
No nightmare this, I preach.
--Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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In a moment of evocative contemplation, our four-legged hero likened the joys of his gustatory experience to a “thing of beauty” as described by John Keats.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
—John Keats
A happy treat is no toy forever;
Its loveliness increases one's endeavor
To stash it quick within the inner keep,
Intending then to list with welcome sleep,
And dream of chase and catch and breathless yelping.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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The word “since” is often misused as a coordinating conjunction. In fact, its only appropriate roles are those of preposition, adverb, and subordinating conjunction.
Unlike with coordinating conjunctions, a preceding comma is usually not required—and particularly not so when “since” means “because.”
Two noteworthy exceptions calling for the use of commas are the insertion of parenthetical components in a sentence and the lessening of ambiguity when the preceding introductory clause is negative.
Of course, as is true of all subordinating conjunctions—not only “since,” moving the subordinate clause to the start of the sentence requires that the relocated clause be followed by a comma.
The little dog is still incensed
Since finding skunk at fence;
Whene'er the scent of skunk is sensed,
Our dog will take offense.
And since the skunk was at the fence,
There lingers yet a stench;
And that is quite important since
Our dog will want revenge.
So raucous a barking there was had,
The skunk we've not seen since.
Unrequited hate is surely sad;
Our dog may grief evince.
*The key:
“Since finding skunk at fence…” (prepositional phrase)
“since the skunk was at the fence…” (subordinating conjunction, moved to the beginning of the sentence)
“since our dog will want revenge…” (subordinating conjunction)
“The skunk we've not seen since…” (adverb)
“Whene'er…” (like since, whenever is a subordinating conjunction; moved to the beginning of the sentence)
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When birds of a feather go flocking together
In brightness or darkness, whatever the weather,
We think of the oneness that means more than many
And tells of a majesty greater than any.
It comes from the message they write in the sky
As grouped in formation they cursively fly.
The wonderful mystery we see there expressed
Is spirit uplifting with outlook most blessed.
Though seemingly fleeting, it speaks of perspective,
While posing a challenge to humans collective;
Consider the angle when viewing the obvious,
Engage even those who are possibly devious.
Regardless of image, this art from its nature,
Conveyed by wee sculptors of limited stature,
Projects into being a power impressive,
Belying the size of each unit expressive.