Comma Queen: Let's Get Restrictive

Synopsis

Mary Norris discusses the rules governing commas in restrictive and non-restrictive phrases. She uses the example of a sentence about the season's opening night on September 23rd, which featured a new production of 'The Marriage of Figaro' directed by Richard Air. Norris explains that a restrictive phrase limits the meaning of what it modifies and does not take commas, as seen in the phrase about the production directed by Air. In contrast, a non-restrictive phrase, such as the date of the opening night, provides extra information and is marked off with commas. Norris emphasizes the importance of context in determining whether a phrase is essential to the meaning of the sentence or merely additional detail.