The following sentences both say that you have been directed to do a job:
Complete the job, as directed.
vs
Complete the job as directed.
But which of the two sentences above will assert that you are to do the work, and make sure you do it the way you were told to do it?
If I omit the comma, does it entail a change in meaning, or at least emphasis?
Best Answer
The comma after “job” tells us that the phrase as directed is non-restrictive.
The sentence states “you have been directed to do a job”, and implies that how you do it is up to you.
But if we take out the comma,
Now “as directed” is restrictive, and the sentence is saying something more severe: Do the work, and make sure you do it the way you were told to do it.