comma before 'but' [conjunction]: The film wasn't bad but atrocious.

[navi]

In these sentences:

1-The film wasn't bad but atrocious.
2-is story wasn't funny but ridiculous.

do we need a comma before 'but'?

 

[JamesM]

I am addicted to commas. Nevertheless, I would not place one before the "but" in these sentences.

 

[GreenWhiteBlue]

In this construction, it would be better not to use the contraction 'wasn't' and instead to use the full form 'was not'. This makes it clear that the "not" belongs with "not bad", or "not funny".

 

[gasman]

I think there should be a comma after the first description,; it emphasises the contrast, and the deliberate, rather odd, comparison.

 

[AngelEyes]

In these sentences:

1-The film wasn't bad but atrocious.
2-The story wasn't funny but ridiculous.

do we need a comma before 'but'?

I agree with you, James, but then I did some searching, and I wonder if maybe this question applies to the rule of using a comma near the end of a sentence when you need to separate contrast coordinate elements.


Taken from:HERE

7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

He was merely ignorant, not stupid.
The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.
You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you?
The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.
​

Another site: HERE

I also like what GWB suggested. It makes for a stronger sentence.

AngelEyes

 

[ewie]

I don't think you'll get a definitive answer on this one, Navi.
I like commas when they do something. I don't think they do much here so wouldn't use them. (I also prefer wasn't to was not here)