[en] False positive comma suggestion before "so"

[donnerpeter]

Here: Consider rewriting the method so it becomes easier to understand.

A linguist tells me the comma isn't necessary.

[udomai]

There are very few cases in which a comma is really necessary according to all style guides. In this case, though, I tend to agree:

"so" can profit from a comma before it when it means "and for that reason" (introduces a result):

My bike is cactus, so I have to walk to work.

There shouldn't really be a comma if you can replace it with "with the objective that" (introduces a purpose, a finality).

I am rephrasing this sentence so it is easier to understand.

@AzadehSafakish, @plumaj: Does that rule of thumb make any sense in actuality?

[AzadehSafakish]

Yes, a comma is not necessary in the example sentence and your generalization is correct.

[qenya]

I just encountered this false positive too. In fact, a lot of the example sentences make the same mistake!

For example:

I need to borrow some money so I can buy some medicine for Tom.

This means "I need to borrow some money in order to buy some medicine for Tom."

However, the rule description suggests "correcting" it to:

I need to borrow some money, so I can buy some medicine for Tom.

This means "I can buy some medicine for Tom because I need to borrow some money", which is clearly not correct.