Deleting all the commas in that sentence, while grammatically acceptable, results in one long-ass sentence with no pauses whatsoever. Here at Iron-Fist Editing, LLC, we would delete *only* the last comma (found after the word "skills"). We feel it makes the sentence read much better, by throwing in a visual pause for the reader to catch a breath.
The sentence in question:
Knowing exactly what the company does, and familiarizing yourself with their services and products, will give you the opportunity to emphasize your skills, and illustrate how hiring you would be beneficial to them.
Here, at PCAA*, we support the original rendering, with all of the lovely commas left, as is. We would accept, with less pleasure, a second, less en-commaed approach, deleting all commas, save the second (between products and will).
*Procrastinating Comma Abusers Anonymous
No, Tep's right -- the phrase "and familiarizing yourself with their services and products" requires either two commas (one at either end), or none at all.
We would accept, with less pleasure, a second, less en-commaed approach, deleting all commas, save the second (between products and will).
Oh, my dearest Cindy. That option doesn't make grammatical sense. Why pause there and only there? For the second comma to be left in, the first comma must also be left in.
t edit
Heh. Totally unsurprising comma x-post.
Why pause there and only there? For the second comma to be left in, the first comma must also be left in.
I want IronFist Editing to copyedit all of my books. And posts. And other stuff.
I, LIKE, to abuse, the comma.
I'm going to go make an anonymous hate LJ, right now.
I must concur with La Tep.
Now I'm going to friend you all with my COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS LJ hate-devoted account.
I'm going to go make an anonymous hate LJ, right now.
::weeps::
::weeps for all the abused commas::
::wonders what Cindy will name the "anonymous" hate LJ::
