comma before 'thus' in resultative clauses [adverb]: balance thus

[Azimat]

I was wondering if there is a rule that a comma must be placed before "thus" in resultative clauses, as I see it is not always used. For example:

"It no longer targets regional balance, or maintenance of regional occupation in decentralized areas thus preventing depopulation of mountain regions"

"Community-based programs teach youth violence control and problem solving, thus preventing juvenile delinquency by providing critical decision-making and life skills."

Thanks!

 

[lucas-sp]

The sentence with the comma before "thus" is massively better than the sentence with no comma before "thus."

The comma both helps the reader see the logic of the sentence, and communicates the natural pause in the sentence that we would employ in speech.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I was wondering if there is a rule that a comma must be placed before "thus" in resultative clauses, as I see it is not always used. For example:

"It no longer targets regional balance, or maintenance of regional occupation in decentralized areas thus preventing depopulation of mountain regions"

"Community-based programs teach youth violence control and problem solving, thus preventing juvenile delinquency by providing critical decision-making and life skills."

Thanks!

I agree with Lucas that the comma before "thus" is important. In the first sentence, the comma after balance is not needed.