comma after introductory clause: Before it was formed,

[thuhoai]

Hi,everyone

Here is a piece of news from a paper

Before the unit was formed police carried out 70 brothel visits, or raids, between January to August 2010 in the five boroughs closest to where the games will take place, according to data from the Met.

I suppose that it is better to say: Before the unit was formed, police carried out...

Will you help me?

Thanks

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...-london-cleans-up-ahead-of-2012-olympics.html

 

[MuttQuad]

It's not obligatory, afaik, but I prefer the comma, as it signifies a brief pause.

 

[Rover_KE]

It doesn't really matter. The comma was used in this context in an earlier part of the report.

I thought you were going to ask about 70 brothel visits, or raids. . .

That made me smile. Visiting a brothel has a different purpose than raiding it.

Rover

 

[thuhoai]

Thank you for your help, MuttQuad.
Some case are not obligatory? Could you tell me some rule?

 

[MuttQuad]

Thank you for your help, MuttQuad.
Some case are not obligatory? Could you tell me some rule?

Comma usage is a bit loose. Sometimes there are rules requiring a comma; but in other instances, such as this one, the comma may be used to help "pace" the sentence, usually by providing a pause.

 

[Roymalika]

Hi

Before I have breakfast, I always feed my cat.
Before he did military service, he went to university.

Self-made

Can I ask whether the comma in these sentences mandatory?

 

[DonnyB]

Hi

Before I have breakfast, I always feed my cat.
Before he did military service, he went to university.

Self-made

Can I ask whether the comma in these sentences mandatory?

No, it isn't. Almost all comma usage is optional: the general rule of thumb is that you put one in where you would naturally pause when reading the sentence out loud.