comma before 'or' [conjunction]: Is this a pencil, or a pen?
- Thread starter hoihoi
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When the options are of equal "value" or type, you don't need a comma.
"Should I bring the skirt or the dress?"
However, if the clauses differ much in nature, a comma may be useful.
"Should I bring the sweater, or will it be warm enough for a shirt?"
"Should I bring the skirt or the dress?"
However, if the clauses differ much in nature, a comma may be useful.
"Should I bring the sweater, or will it be warm enough for a shirt?"
There is generally no punctuation between two co-ordinated nouns or noun phrases joined with and or or, so I wouldn't write (b) for ordinary written prose.
However, writing is sometimes a representation of speech, and punctuation can therefore mimic pauses and gaps in speech. So you might see:
'Is this a pencil, or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
'Is this a pencil? Or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
'Is this a pencil - or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
'Is this a pencil ... or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
However, writing is sometimes a representation of speech, and punctuation can therefore mimic pauses and gaps in speech. So you might see:
'Is this a pencil, or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
'Is this a pencil? Or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
'Is this a pencil - or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
'Is this a pencil ... or a pen?' he wondered aloud.
Would it be the same for a sentence like this?
Is it better to be beautiful but stupid or ugly but clever?
The underlined phrases are on the same structural level, so no comma seems to be the answer. However, there is but in each of them, which makes the situation not so obvious to me.
Is it better to be beautiful but stupid or ugly but clever?
The underlined phrases are on the same structural level, so no comma seems to be the answer. However, there is but in each of them, which makes the situation not so obvious to me.
No comma is required, unless, as natkretep says, "punctuation can therefore mimic pauses and gaps in speech." and you wish to express exactly how it was said.
Do not worry about the buts, they are can be seen as part of the whole unit, as in Is it better to be X or Y?
Do not worry about the buts, they are can be seen as part of the whole unit, as in Is it better to be X or Y?
Is it just the written form reflecting the way it is spoken, or some sometimes vice versa?
Did you come with your mother or father? i.e. one or both of your parents; it does not matter which.
Did you come with your mother, or your father? i.e. I need to know which parent accompanied you.
Did you come with your mother or father? i.e. one or both of your parents; it does not matter which.
Did you come with your mother, or your father? i.e. I need to know which parent accompanied you.
Both are debatable! And, I would say, kindof certainly wrong (particularly ii).
However, the conclusion, despite these iffy premises, is valid in the case of commas. Commas, unlike other punctuation in English, function almost exclusively as "pause markers" without any other logical or linguistic content. So they almost always represent how a sentence ought to be performed or reproduced in spoken language.
This may make us think that they represent how a sentence was spoken - but think about my sentences above. Nobody has ever pronounced them out loud. The idea that speech precedes writing is often just an optical illusion.
I would of course, debate both premises; I am imaging 2 Neanderthals, one of whom has made a mark on a rock... both are shrugging their shoulders in bewilderment. 
On the other hand, I have just spoken to my wife and nobody has ever written those words down.
On the other hand, I have just spoken to my wife and nobody has ever written those words down.