Where to put punctuation with conjunctions is often confusing.
See this explanation given by Grammarly:
Subordinating conjunctions
Because, although, since, unless, while, if
- Starting a sentence with a dependent clause: If the sentence starts with the conjunction, place a comma at the end of the first clause.
- Example: Because it was raining, I stayed indoors.
- In the middle of a sentence: Do not use a comma if the conjunction connects the clauses in the middle of the sentence.
- Example: I stayed indoors because it was raining.
Examples from the Guardian:
Javier Bardem also invoked global political leaders at Cannes while discussing toxic masculinity during a press conference for The Beloved. (without a comma)
“If you have an emotionally immature parent, it doesn’t mean that you’re doomed,” says Gibson. (with a comma)
Task: Here are journalistic style examples from the Guardian’s and BBC’s articles about the Eurovision song contest winner. The punctuation has been removed.
Decide where you should put the commas if you are following the rule, and the answer key will show you what the journalist decided. They often chose alternative punctuation! It is always safer to follow the traditional rule, unless you are a professional writer like a journalist.
- Ilayda Kayalar, 21, an interior design student also from the capital, said that winning the Eurovision cemented Bulgaria’s EU integration while helping to bolster the country’s popularity on the international scene.
- In the event, Israel’s entry, Michelle, sung by Noam Bettan, came second on 343 points while Dara’s Bangaranga scored 516 points.
- Former winners Lordi played a heavy metal version of Brotherhood of Man’s Save Your Kisses For Me while Ukranian comedian Verka Serduchka played Sandie Shaw’s Puppet On A String with an Oompah band.
- Erika Vikman recreated Abba’s Waterloo – 1974’s Eurovision winner while Alexander Rybak gave Cliff Richard’s Congratulations the hoedown treatment.
Answer key
- … Bulgaria’s EU integration while helping to bolster … (follows the rule)
- … came second on 343 points; while Dara’s Bangaranga scored 516 points. (a semicolon instead of a comma in a list. Both are possible, as well as no punctuation, but the semicolon indicates emphasis)
- … Save Your Kisses For Me; while Ukranian comedian Verka Serduchka played … (again, semicolon for emphasis, but no punctuation would follow the rule)
- … Abba’s Waterloo – 1974’s Eurovision winner – while Alexander Rybak gave Cliff Richard’s Congratulations … (a dash instead of a comma, serving the same purpose. The phrase between dashes is an intrusive clause so commas are required.)
Finally we can see that journalists use their instinct for clarity with punctuation rather than fixed rules!