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... while in 2011 [,] the rate was x%

English translation: optional; frequently (and increasingly?) omitted

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:... while in 2011 [,] the rate was x%
Selected answer:optional; frequently (and increasingly?) omitted
Entered by: Charles Davis

09:50 May 30, 2012
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / comma rules
English term or phrase: ... while in 2011 [,] the rate was x%
do I need the comma that I put in brackets? TIA
danya
Local time: 06:01
optional; frequently (and increasingly?) omitted
Explanation:
I think this comma can be included or not as you wish. I think it is perfectly clear without it. It is certainly not obligatory. It would quite commonly be included, and perhaps even more commonly omitted. Personally I would not include it. There is, in any case, a broad general trend towards omitting inessential commas. It's really a matter of taste.

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Note added at 11 mins (2012-05-30 10:01:47 GMT)
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All I am saying is that the answer to your question "do you need it" is no. There is no recognised rule that says you must include it. Arguably it is clearer if you include it, though I don't think so. But the most you might say is that it is preferable to include it, not that it is necessary.

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Note added at 17 mins (2012-05-30 10:07:48 GMT)
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Thinking about this, I actually find this comma intrusive, though I wouldn't say it's wrong. But pace Oliver, this is not an introductory phrase; "in 2011" is simply an adverbial expression placed before the subject. It is basically saying: "while the rate in 2011 was x%" or "while the rate was x% in 2011", and "in 2011" has been moved forward in the clause for emphasis. So the comma serves no syntactic function; you certainly wouldn't include it in the alternatives just quoted. Nor, do necessarily place a comma after an adverb that precedes the subject. You can if you like. "Last year we spent our holidays in France", or "Last year, we spent our holidays in France". As you prefer.

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Note added at 26 mins (2012-05-30 10:16:50 GMT)
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You may find this useful. It basically says that commas should be used after introductory "sentence adverbs" (things like "ironically" or "remarkably"), but are not necessary after preceding adverbs that modify just the verb (as is the case here), and that they are usually omitted in such cases.
http://grammartips.homestead.com/adverbs2.html
Selected response from:

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 05:01
Grading comment
thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +7optional; frequently (and increasingly?) omitted
Charles Davis
4 +2... while in 2011, the rate was x% [YES]
Oliver Lawrence


Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
optional; frequently (and increasingly?) omitted


Explanation:
I think this comma can be included or not as you wish. I think it is perfectly clear without it. It is certainly not obligatory. It would quite commonly be included, and perhaps even more commonly omitted. Personally I would not include it. There is, in any case, a broad general trend towards omitting inessential commas. It's really a matter of taste.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2012-05-30 10:01:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

All I am saying is that the answer to your question "do you need it" is no. There is no recognised rule that says you must include it. Arguably it is clearer if you include it, though I don't think so. But the most you might say is that it is preferable to include it, not that it is necessary.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2012-05-30 10:07:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Thinking about this, I actually find this comma intrusive, though I wouldn't say it's wrong. But pace Oliver, this is not an introductory phrase; "in 2011" is simply an adverbial expression placed before the subject. It is basically saying: "while the rate in 2011 was x%" or "while the rate was x% in 2011", and "in 2011" has been moved forward in the clause for emphasis. So the comma serves no syntactic function; you certainly wouldn't include it in the alternatives just quoted. Nor, do necessarily place a comma after an adverb that precedes the subject. You can if you like. "Last year we spent our holidays in France", or "Last year, we spent our holidays in France". As you prefer.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 26 mins (2012-05-30 10:16:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You may find this useful. It basically says that commas should be used after introductory "sentence adverbs" (things like "ironically" or "remarkably"), but are not necessary after preceding adverbs that modify just the verb (as is the case here), and that they are usually omitted in such cases.
http://grammartips.homestead.com/adverbs2.html

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 05:01
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 572
Grading comment
thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: I agree, these days, the tendency is to omit it; does depend a bit on how it flows on from what precedes it. One of my major international publishing customers has a style manual in which they reject the comma.
2 mins
  -> Thanks, Tony!
agree  airmailrpl: -
30 mins
  -> Thanks, airmailpl!
agree  Sheila Wilson: Armorel makes a very good point in the discussion box
35 mins
  -> I agree; I hadn't thought of that angle. Thanks, Sheila!
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: more than likely the comma is not necessary here...
41 mins
  -> Thanks, gallagy!
agree  B D Finch
4 hrs
  -> Many thanks, B D
agree  Lara Barnett: I would omit it - maybe that is because I frequently see it like that.
1 day 8 hrs
  -> Thanks very much, Lara!
agree  Phong Le
2 days 3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phong Le :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
... while in 2011, the rate was x% [YES]


Explanation:
Using a comma is preferable after an introductory phrase.

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Note added at 1 hr (2012-05-30 11:01:33 GMT)
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Further to your discussion note at 12.57: better to rephrase -

"This year, the rate has risen to Y from the 2011 figure of X"

Oliver Lawrence
Italy
Local time: 05:01
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jenni Lukac (X): "whereas" might be better than "while", but without more context it's hard to tell.
1 min
agree  Jack Doughty
4 mins
neutral  Tony M: I don't think necessarily 'preferable', and the modern trend is to omit them — UNLESS, of course, it is necessary for correct comprehension in relation to what precedes this.
8 mins
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