Yes, the comma is required when "also" appears at the beginning of the sentence. Answer (1 of 4): 'at first' is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial phrase of sequence, which is significant because adverbial phrases are usually to be found after the verbs they modify: 'He went to town yesterday'. Introductory phrases and conjunctive adverbs are almost always followed by commas at the start of a sentence, but there are exceptions. Comma Splices. Ah, the good old days! RM Richard, Moderator (Guest) SOME people consider it incorrect to start a sentence with hopefully, Susan, but that's not a universally held opinion. We do not need to include a comma after "then" at the beginning of a sentence. When it suggests logical continuity then no comma should be present. When And How You Use A Comma Before Or After But Do we always use commas after sequencing words like "first ... Use a comma after sentence adverbs but skip it after adverbs modifying verbs. Introductory Clauses with Dates | Grammarly (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.) 4/5 (1,703 Views . Remember - if you don't use correct capitalisation, punctuation and spacing, anything you write will be incorrect. I wrote "Each environmental activity might be no more than a small dot. Commas With 'Afterward', 'Then', 'Later', and 'Subsequently' Generally, see CMOS's great advice on the issue:. January 17, 1965. 1. Click to see full answer. When you start a sentence with then, as in Then I go to my first class, is there a comma after then? I'm sorry, I'm divorcing you and moving in with your stepsister. When we use words at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a new idea, we're usually presented with the need to use a comma to separate the clauses. Each year the ducks fly south. Hi teachers, Once I read this rule: When transition words are written at the beginning of asentence, use a comma to separate them from the rest of the sentence. For instance, if the sentence is a response, it may use "then" without . When an introductory adverbial element seems to modify the entire sentence and not just the verb or some single element in the rest of the sentence, put a comma . Does the comma go before or after but? In casual writing and speech, people sometimes start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. When "then" is used as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence, however, a comma should be introduced following it. Medically the results of the study are not robust. Each year, the ducks fly south. My friend, John, is a good painter. When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. Commas are not used if a part of a date is not present in a written sentence. Can I still insert a comma after "then" in the second example? It seems such an innocuous question. So far we've dealt exclusively with the use of commas in dates at the end of sentences. After a dependent introductory clause, we use a comma to separate the introductory clause from the independent clause. More on the Prepositional Phrase at the Beginning of the Sentence. Commas play a vital role in sentence structure. Well, since we can't include a comma before the start of the sentence, that makes the point above about starting a sentence with "therefore" irrelevant. A comma after "then" is also necessary when it is preceded by a semicolon. In other cases, a relative clause may be essential. Q. I told you it was super easy. Pass the salt, Mary. Now you know the answer. The rule is - either have the commas both before and after a name, or don't add it at all. INCORRECT: It was getting late, I was starting to panic. However, they are followed by commas too. A. Commas almost always follow phrases at the beginning of sentences; use the comma to separate the phrase from the independent clause. If you type "comma" and "but" into Google, the search engine will give you some autosuggestions including "comma after 'but' at beginning of sentence" and "is there a comma before or after 'but.'" According to editors and grammarians, there is no comma after the word 'but' at the beginning of a sentence. Because in the example, the But is placed at the beginning of the sentence, and the comma follows the conjunction but. Make sure that you are using "although" as your first word of the sentence, or after a comma in the middle of a sentence. Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that are often found at the beginning of the sentence (although they can be moved to the end of the sentence, too, without confusing the meaning of the sentence). Otherwise, do not put a comma after the (FANBOYS) conjunction. A vocative is when you use address someone by name, e.g. The comma is unnatural in those sentences in which 'then' means something like 'in that case'. A. Punctuation is not so simple that you can make a rule that a comma "always" follows a given word or phrase. When starting a sentence or clause with these adverbs, add a comma after them. In some cases inserting a comma after a prepositional phrase helps to clarify the meaning of the sentence. Do not use one after 'Dear' in a phrase like 'Dear John.' This is a page about commas with salutations in letters and emails. After they play soccer, they usually get something to eat. The word offsets the text in the sentence but because a comma is placed after it. When a dependent clause begun by a subordinating conjunction comes before an independent clause, the comma after the dependent clause is not negotiable. Note that the clauses are separated with a comma when the dependent clause comes first. However, the example sentences in Cambridge Dictionary seem to invalidate this rule. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented 1/2 inch from the left margin while maintaining double-spacing. Use a comma after an introductory phrase that ends with a numeral and is immediately followed by another numeral. So that begins a sentence or clause does not take a comma unless a parenthetical phrase or clause follows, and even then it's sometimes optional: So, in light of his threats, I had to hide the chocolate. ¶ It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. Conclusion on Comma Before or After But. Ditto if "then" functions the same way inside a sentence. a comma after it to show the reader that this is the first step. and), use the past or present tense. After it rained, the ground was soaking wet. RULE: Put a comma after a "long" prepositional phrase. Cite it. *cough, cough rep points available cough, cough* Last edited: Oct 28, 2007. dawinsor But then I found this sentence, 'Not long after his breakfast,he phoned her.'. A post (Comma after "of course" at the beginning of a sentence?) When "so" is an adverb, you rarely use a comma. #1. apparently. The only way to get around this concern depends on how "first" is used in the sentence. When the date appears in the middle of a sentence, commas should appear both before and after the year. "Now consider the below sentences - 3. If the non-essential clause appears at the end of the sentence, you would only need one comma to set it apart from the rest of the sentence. When starting a sentence or clause with these adverbs, add a comma after them. "Although" may start a sentence or show up in the middle of a sentence as a conjunction. Basically, it's become increasingly such that whether or not to put a comma after an introductory "then" isn't so much an issue of grammar but an issue of style. Fortunately, the rules regarding commas after introductory prepositional phrases are fairly straightforward. Wednesday, January 17, 1965. That adverb needs to be snuggled between a semicolon and a comma. Using "Which" in a Restrictive Clause. We, instead, have to look at using "therefore" in the middle of a sentence. Fortunately, the rules regarding commas after introductory prepositional phrases are fairly straightforward. Here are a couple of examples: "Someday, I'd like to go on a cruise." — This is incorrect. You can use the same three-part rule for a sentence with and, or, yet, and so. If the phrase were longer, then the comma would be necessary. It sometimes denotes similarity but sometimes it describes a process through to its result. Vocatives are usually found at the beginning or the end of a sentence, but they can be included in the middle of a sentence, e.g. Don ' t use a comma if the if clause is at the end of the sentence. 2. level 2. You could also . Use a comma before the conjunction when the sentence halves can stand alone. Find it. When you want to put an adverb in the opening position, determine whether it's a sentence adverb or a regular adverb used to modify a verb, an adverb that just happens to come first in the sentence. Use a comma after 'hello,' 'hi,' and terms like 'good morning' at the start of an email or letter. Medically, the results of the study are not robust. Phrases that begin with the following words often require a comma if they begin a sentence (this list is . I'm sorry, the restroom is out of order. More commonly, you will use it after a period or semicolon at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma, as a conjunctive adverb to contrast something from the previous sentence. Thank you in advance and sorry about being anon. Commas with Introductory Phrases. Avoid this type of sentence structure because the string of numbers can be confusing. If yes, put a comma after "but." If no, you do not need a comma after it. Then I went home." This is as opposed to conforming to what has been historically conventional in grammar by writing, cum comma, "I went to the store. Comma before or after but. When the sky is clear and blue, we go to the beach. Comma or Semicolon. You may need a comma after "so" if it's part of an introductory clause of a sentence, before a parenthetical statement, or as part of a parenthetical statement. An independent clause is one that works as a full sentence on its own. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Is it necessary to use a comma after words like next, then, after that, last, and finally when they are the beginning of a sentence? Example: I will visit the Tower if I go to London. October 27, 2008 December 10, 2015 Kirk Post navigation Comma After "Then" When Beginning Sentences? Consider this: We visited the Louvre. The opposite, however, is not true. This is because the sentence is talking about a particular person John. Both these sentences are correct and convey the same thing. The store closed its doors for good on Wednesday, October 15, 1958. Remember, a main clause, also known as an independent clause, is just something that could be a complete sentence if it were all by itself. Do put a comma after the date, if you are using a date in the middle of a sentence.. We waited until October 27th, 2015, for the landlord to fix the roof. However, commas aren't always used correctly, and you shouldn't just throw them anywhere into a sentence. At the beginning of a sentence, we add a comma after the conjunctive adverbs "afterward", "then", "and then", "subsequently", "after that", or "later" to indicate that it modifies the complete sentence that follows. Yes, you can use "thereby" to start a sentence, just as you can use "and" or "but . The rule today that many people get confused about is the rule about putting a comma after a prepositional phrase at the beginning of the sentence. Whenever you use it after a coordinating conjunction (e.g. Additionally, if "then' is used as a conjunction, placing a comma after it is not considered to be grammatically correct. Oct 16, 2012. Should I use a comma before and after vocative? Because "so" serves as a subordinating conjunction here, you won't need a comma. *Over time* this dot will become a line, then the lines will form a network of corporate-wide activity that will produce enormous results.". After you finish, call me. The comma goes between the introduction and the subject and must not separate the subject from the verb. Wiki User ∙ 2014-08-22 03:01:33 The rules are only meant to be broken after you know them. A comma can be placed after instead at the beginning of a sentence if the sentence is a continuation of the subject in the one before it. If an interrupter immediately follows the coordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence, then put a comma after the conjunction. A comma after first would be necessary when it appears in series, parenthetical expression, and clausal introduction.On the other side, a comma after "first" is unnecessary when it is used as an adjective, pronoun, or noun apart from the above-mentioned conditions. If you have an introductory word (or two) that is being used as an adverb (usually answers the question of when, where, why, or to what degree), then no comma. (You should maintain double-spacing throughout your essay.) Non-essential, nonrestrictive clauses should be set off from the rest of the sentence with a set of commas. Introductory elements often consist of prepositional phrases, subordinating conjunctions, participial phrases, or conjunctive adverbs. The comma after "technically", "medically", etc. It doesn't matter how short the sentence is. Using a Comma after a Fronted Adjective Phrase or Clause. CORRECT: It was getting late. or Meg, are you there? Apr 11 2015 18:01:38. anonymous + 0. 04-Mar-2014, 14:02 #3. Forums Grammar & Sentence Structure 1 3,213 + 0. . If you are being absolutely, technically correct, a comma should be used to separate two clauses when the clause begun by the subordinating conjunction comes first. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that could stand alone if you chose to handle it that way. My friend John is a good painter. They deal with the number of words or phrases rather than the relationship between the words. Is the word "but" followed by an interrupter word or phrase? You can skip the commas with single-word adverbs of time , such as " afterward ", " then ", " later " or " subsequently ". We said earlier that a short prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence that is just a simple modifier does NOT take a comma. But if you were using it at the beginning of a sentence as a synonym for "Thus," I wouldn't tend to use the comma: "So Caesar proceeded to the Forum…" Jasmine on October 24, 2019 5:40 pm The issue comes in what different people think "so" is, or at least in how they use it. Avoid beginning a sentence with a string of numbers and dates. Related. I originally didn't put a comma after "over time . Within the compound sentence, the second clause depends on the first. CORRECT: The people on the boat laughed and sang. 7y. Consider the below examples of sentences containing properly placed and omitted commas: Short prepositional phrase: After + action/result 2, + action/result 1. Sometimes a writer hears a pause after so, and if a writer really wants us to pause, then it's hard to deny him a comma. gives a clear rule/suggestion about the usage of comma after the transition words/phrases at the beginning of a sentence.. one should use commas after their transition word or phrase that starts a new sentence.. Your parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark. You can use "rather" after a comma if you're using it as a parenthetical interrupter. Some Common Errors to Avoid. certainly Examples: 1) They were married in January 2011 in Las Vegas. In the "olden" days, the rule was to put a comma after ANY element that came at the beginning of the sentence. In many instances, a comma after the word is correct; however, the rules are different for "then.". When to Use a Comma after 'Then', 'Afterward', 'Later', etc. Both are acceptable since "each year" is a very short phrase. If you're joining two main clauses with a conjunctive adverb, you need a semicolon before that adverb, and a comma after. Common subordinating conjunctions include because , while , since , when , until, and unless. If joining two independent clauses, join using conjunction but and placing a comma before conjunction but. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma. Can you use thereby at the beginning of a sentence? If you use "then" as a transition at the beginning of a sentence, you follow it with a comma. Commas and Dates at the Beginning of Sentences. We'll show you how to use conjunctions, clauses, relative pronouns, and the proper way to use a comma after "and" with our comma cheat sheet. e.g., Yes, I do need that report. Comma Rule #5: Do not join two sentences with a comma. You can use a comma both before and after "but," and it can be correct. Using commas with introductory adverbs is a stylistic consideration. Write it. Answer (1 of 4): Using a comma after "then" is actually common. Some function as adjectives. If we use "after" at the beginning of a sentence, then use a comma when writing. You have mastered the rule. ¶ Over 1.5 million copies sold! The comma after "technically", "medically", etc. Independent clauses are . Use commas before verb clauses at the end of sentences: "The man fell on the floor, breaking his glasses." Use a comma to separate two independent clauses in a sentence. If it's being used as a discourse marker, then go ahead and use a comma. After a dependent introductory clause, we use a comma to separate the introductory clause from the independent clause. Examples. For example: Imbued with common sense, Mark is a great choice for the role. In others it's a grammatical necessity. Two Main Clauses. indicates that the adverb describes a whole sentence and not a single word. I'm sorry; you can only pay in cash. In formal writing style "so" is not followed by a comma when used at the beginning of a sentence, although some feel strongly that it shouldn't begin a sentence in the first place. In sentence 1, thereby follows the comma; however in sentence 2, there is a coordinating conjunction before thereby. Do you use a comma before or after otherwise? But if a pause . It has examples and an interactive exercise. If you have a sentence that starts with the phrase I'm sorry do you put a comma or a semicolon after that phrase? Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. Note that the rule is the same for other types of dependent phrases that often appear the start of a sentence, e.g., at first, generally speaking, in mid-2015. This indicates that the clauses are to be read separately. or Are you a prince, Harry? "Rather" is a super word. When quoting verse, maintain original line breaks. As a subordinating conjunction, " when " joins an independent clause and a when-clause (subordinating clause). Not every phrase or clause that appears at the front of a sentence is an adverbial one. 2. I am a lower-school teacher and need to clarify this. indicates that the adverb describes a whole sentence and not a single word. Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that are often found at the beginning of the sentence (although they can be moved to the end of the sentence, too, without confusing the meaning of the sentence).
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