comma with two introductory phrases [adverb; preposition]: Outside in

I've been wondering about this for a while. Do I need to offset each introductory phrase/word with comma(s) if there is more than one in a introductory word/phrase in a sentence?

For example:

Outside in the crisp winter night nothing moved.

For one, I know I don't even have to use commas in this sentence because the phrase is short and a word doesn't need to be offset, but if I choose to, do I have to go all the way, as such:

Outside, in the crisp winter night, nothing moved.

Or would this do:

Outside in the crisp winter night, nothing moved.


Another example is:

Okay well, that's just what I think.

Is my lack of comma after okay wrong?


Thanks to anyone who can shed some light. :)

In general, you use a comma where you want a pause. So I would choose this version -- Outside, in the crisp winter night, nothing moved -- because I think it matches the pace of what you're saying. You want those pauses, you want that scanning, and you want nothing to be seen or heard (or at least I do).

I suppose you could use either of the other two, but they're not the same, or as good, for me.

As for "Okay, well," if you're going to put a comma after well, you need one before it as well. At least for my tastes.

I don't agree that commas go where pauses go; I simply don't think that's right, but I do like your input on "if a comma follows well it should precede it," so thank you.

I thought the comma preceding it would belong to okay, but it belongs to well, if that makes sense. I should have thought of that. Now I can't tell if my issue has been resolved or if I have just made sense out of that one sentence, lol.

Fine then, if that's what you want.

I guess[,?] in the above sentence, the comma is just indicating that "if that's what you want" is not restrictive, and it does not belong to then. So, I guess it's a case by case basis... However, the first sentence of this paragraph already has me confused...sigh.

More input may still make for an interesting discussion.

I'm still a comma-for-a-pause guy, despite your firmly held beliefs. :D

So I would do these:
Okay, well, that's just what I think.
Fine then, if that's what you think.

I see okay and well as two stutterances, whereas fine then flows together.

But I would also do this for flow: Okay then, if that's what you think.

Again, this is my personal preference, as commas often are with people.

I have seen writers and editors almost come to blows over commas. I once fought with a very good friend who was also my editor because she wanted to take out a Very Important Comma.

In general, I am not with the "a comma is used to indicate a pause" group. There are rules for where to put them and the rules usually make sense. The rules also let us know where they are optional.

The only exception I make is when strictly following the rules makes the sentence look ridiculous.

In the example given, I would prefer the option
Outside in the crisp winter night, nothing moved.
Nothing moved. Where did nothing move? Outside in the crisp winter night.

Where did nothing move? Outside. In the crisp winter air, if you must know the time and temperature. :D

I fear that it is time for me to make my comma speech. The current tendency is to eliminate commas; to use commas only where, otherwise, without them would cause confusion. Introductory phrases or words do not always need a comma following them. Eg. Within a year she was speaking French. It was as easy as pie or as simple as bonjour.