Rulebase

Comma When 'Of the' or 'As' Is Omitted

The Comma

Rulebase Summary

Use a comma when words like 'of the' or 'as' are missing from a sentence but are easily understood. The comma signals the omitted word and prevents misreading.

Morson's Rule 80 · p.48

Examples

A. The City Chicago filed the complaint on March 10th.

A. The City, Chicago, filed the complaint on March 10th.

Comma signals the omitted 'of' — 'The City of Chicago.'

A. The majority the documents were not signed.

A. The majority, the documents, were not signed.

Comma replaces omitted "of the" to prevent misreading.

Style Guide References (1)

Morson's

Rule 80 Page 48
See also (2)