comma before 'whereas'/'but' [conjunction]: With a... but with a

[Yimo]

Hello,
I've always thought that in English comma is used chiefly before but,
whereas and so. (And in conditionals of course)

Today I've seen these sentences:

The conventional camera requires chemical processing
whereas the digital camera does not.

With digital camera you can transfer images directly to a PC
but with a convetional camera you need to use a scanner.

My question stands: Are those sentences correct?
Or should there be comma before whereas and but?

Thanks in advance for an answer,
Yimo

PS: I would appreciate any additional feedback on punctuation in English.
As I began to hesitate a bit about my punctuation knowledge.

 

[MrsWigs]

It is my understanding that "whereas" and "but" take the place of the comma, so it is not needed.

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

I've attached this link - it's quite heavy going but does explain some of the uses of commas and semi-colons.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

 

[Spira]

There must be a million uses of commas, but in general it denotes a pause in the sentence, an intake of breath, and very often a subordinate (or reprise of the main) clause

 

[Yimo]

It is my understanding that "whereas" and "but" take the place of the comma, so it is not needed.

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

I've attached this link - it's quite heavy going but does explain some of the uses of commas and semi-colons.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Interesting link, thanks a lot.

I wonder if it works the same in BrE though.

 

[xqby]

The rule about needing a comma for coordinating conjunctions is, in my experience, often ignored by native speakers. Omitting that comma doesn't make things much more confusing.
But yes, strictly speaking, sentence 2 needs a comma, while sentence 1 does not.

It is my understanding that "whereas" and "but" take the place of the comma, so it is not needed.

http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

Ah, please take another look at Rule 12. You appear to be disagreeing with your own link.

 

[Yimo]

The rule about needing a comma for coordinating conjunctions is, in my experience, often ignored by native speakers. Omitting that comma doesn't make things much more confusing.
But yes, strictly speaking, sentence 2 needs a comma, while sentence 1 does not.

Thanks! Just wonder - why there isn't a need for comma in sentence one?

Ah, please take another look at Rule 12. You appear to be disagreeing with your own link.

I've been feeling the same. But the link itself was usefull .

 

[xqby]

It has to do with the type of conjunction you're dealing with. "Whereas" is a subordinating conjunction; "but" is a coordinating conjunction. As you can see in the link given by MrsWigs, commas are recommended for two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (Rule 12), but not for a subordinate clause which follows the main clause (Rule 9).

I sometimes use commas before subordinators as well, if I feel that it lends clarity to my sentence. Your first sentence isn't so long that it needs to be broken up.

 

[Yimo]

It has to do with the type of conjunction you're dealing with. "Whereas" is a subordinating conjunction; "but" is a coordinating conjunction. As you can see in the link given by MrsWigs, commas are recommended for two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (Rule 12), but not for a subordinate clause which follows the main clause (Rule 9).

I sometimes use commas before subordinators as well, if I feel that it lends clarity to my sentence. Your first sentence isn't so long that it needs to be broken up.

Thanks for explanation!