Multiple Commas [closed]

Solution 1:

Commas are mostly a matter of style. The Chicago Manual of Style prescribes a comma before so when it functions as a coordinating conjunction. The comma after that so — to delimit an adverbial phrase — is optional, and its omission generally makes for less comma fussiness:

I don’t understand what the word means, so of course, I look it up in the dictionary.

What you have here is a coordinating conjunction (so), an adverbial phrase (of course) and two independent clauses (I don’t understand what the word means and I look it up in the dictionary) . . .

From The Chicago Manual of Style (see in bold):

6.32: Commas with a participial or adverbial phrase plus a conjunction

When a participial or adverbial phrase immediately follows a coordinating conjunction, the use of commas depends on whether the conjunction joins two independent sentences. If the conjunction is simply a part of the predicate or joins a compound predicate, the first comma follows the conjunction (see also 6.23).

     We were extremely tired and, in light of our binge the night before, anxious to go home.
     The Packers trailed at halftime but, buoyed by Rodgers’s arm, stormed back to win.

If the conjunction joins two independent clauses, however, the comma precedes the conjunction (see also 6.22).

     We were elated, but realizing that the day was almost over, we decided to go to bed.

Strictly speaking, it would not be wrong to add a second comma after but in the last example. Such usage, which would extend the logic of commas in pairs (see 6.17), may be preferred in certain cases for emphasis or clarity. See also 6.26.