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#1
Can I start a sentence with the word ‘After’? I cant find a list of words not to use at the begining of a sentence and im not sure if after sounds correct.
e.g. After graduating from university with a first class honours degree in 2004, I began my career managing scientific research projects.
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#2
That is totally fine.
You are not supposed to start a sentence with and, but, or, nor in formal writing.
There are so many rules about prepositions; it’s easy to forget how to use them.
People often ask, “Can you start a sentence with a preposition?” The answer is yes! There’s no rule against starting a sentence with a preposition.
Prepositions are words that show a relationship between a noun or pronoun and another element in a sentence.
Some common prepositions are at, to, by, on, in, from, and with, although there are many more prepositions in English.
Let’s take a deeper look at how you can use prepositions at the beginning of a sentence.
Starting a Sentence with a Preposition: Good or Bad?
The confusion about whether or not you can start a sentence with a preposition comes from two out-of-date writing rules.
Students used to learn never to use a hanging preposition, also called a dangling preposition, in their writing.
Dangling prepositions are prepositions that end a sentence. It was considered informal to end a sentence with a preposition.
However, that rule is no longer widely accepted by writing experts, nor is the rule about never starting a sentence with a conjunction.
But because so many people learned those rules, they often mix them up, leaving them to wonder if they can start a sentence with a preposition.
There is no rule about starting sentences with prepositional phrases.
Starting sentences with prepositions isn’t good or bad. It’s a common feature of our language. The only thing to avoid is overusing it, even if its grammatically correct.
Using any sentence structure repeatedly can make your writing feel bogged down. Varying your syntax is a feature of great writing.
You can use ProWritingAid’s Structure Report to analyze what part of speech your sentences begin with. Then you’ll know whether you’re starting too many sentences with prepositions.
Examples of Sentences Starting with a Prepositional Phrase
Prepositions are found at the beginning of prepositional phrases.
A prepositional phrase is a phrase that contains a preposition and its object, plus any modifiers. Here’s an example of a sentence with a prepositional phrase:
- We went to the big park.
The preposition to clues us in that we have a prepositional phrase. The entire phrase is “to the big park.”
Sometimes, a sentence has an introductory phrase that is also a prepositional phrase. Here are some examples of sentences that begin with prepositional phrases:
- By the time you get home, dinner will be ready.
- Over the holidays, we visited our grandparents.
- From my perspective, it seems like both of you were in the wrong.
- Since last summer, she’s been running a mile every day.
You’ll notice that after each prepositional phrase which precedes the subject of the sentence, there’s a comma.
It’s a good idea to use a comma when the prepositional phrase immediately precedes a subject.
However, some style guides do not require the comma. Some require one only if the introductory phrase is longer than four words.
ProWritingAid will point out the need for commas after long introductory phrases, but again this is a stylistic choice.
If the prepositional phrases do not immediately precede a subject, you generally don’t use a comma. Here are some examples:
- In the closet is where I keep the dog food.
- With hard work comes success.
- On top of the mountain was an abandoned mining town.
- To boldly go where no man has gone before is the mission of the Starship Enterprise.
All the examples above are grammatically correct with or without the comma. We’ve just included the most common ways to use commas with prepositional phrases.
Can You Start a Sentence With At, From, In, After, or By?
Now that you know it’s fine to start sentences with prepositional phrases, you might wonder what it looks like using certain prepositions to open sentences.
Let’s look at a few common prepositions at the beginning of sentences.
Can You Start a Sentence With At?
You can start a sentence with the preposition at.
- At the moment, I don’t have any cash.
- At the beginning of the movie there’s a tragic montage.
- At the grocery store, will you pick up some ice cream?
- At her house there is a trampoline.
Can You Start a Sentence With From?
You can start a sentence with the preposition from.
- From the interstate, you’ll drive south until you reach Main Street.
- From a distance, the cows looked like black bears.
- From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything you’ve done.
- From Oklahoma to Nebraska the landscape is very flat.
Can You Start a Sentence With In?
You can start a sentence with the preposition in.
- In the book The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the social differences between old wealth and new wealth.
- In this house, we speak respectfully to each other.
- In another life, I might have pursued a career in interior design.
- In your last email, you said the meeting would be rescheduled at a later time.
Can You Start a Sentence With After?
You can start a sentence with the preposition after.
- After all this time, he still flirts with his wife like they are young.
- After dinner, we can go and get frozen yogurt.
- After the boy did his homework, he was allowed to play video games.
- After an hour of inconsolable crying, the baby finally fell asleep.
Can You Start a Sentence With By?
You can start a sentence with the preposition by.
- By the way, I noticed your brake light was out.
- By the time Thanksgiving dinner was over, the entire family was arguing.
- By some miracle there were no injuries in the tornadoes last night.
- By any chance do you have a dollar I could borrow?
Conclusion on Starting a Sentence with a Preposition
Starting a sentence with a preposition is grammatically correct. Like any syntax, you should use prepositional phrases to begin your sentences in moderation.
How often you use this sentence structure is a matter of your personal writing style. Don’t be afraid to use prepositional phrases anywhere in your sentences.
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I am a non-native speaker.
In a book I’m currently reading, sentences are often started by ‘after which’.
She zipped up her tracksuit jacket.
After which he decided to go upstairs. The other three moved on to coffee.
This sounded odd to me, especially due to the paragraph, because I’ve seen ‘after which’ only when combining two independent clauses to a single sentence.
I wonder if this is some humorous style or rather a normal thing one could do without raising a strange undertone.
asked Oct 13, 2015 at 6:24
WottensprelsWottensprels
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8
This seems to me more of the authors style. I haven’t ever heard people finish a sentence and then start another sentence with «After which», unless that sentence ended with «of course.»
It would read strange to me, perhaps humorous if I had more context.
Common example:
We went for a walk, after which we decided to grab some dinner.
Rarer example used for humorous affect, or to build up suspense:
We went for a walk, and we ended up at her apartment. She invited me in, and we walked up to her door. After which we had tea of course.
Example I have not heard used:
We went for a walk. After which we had dinner.
answered Oct 13, 2015 at 6:49
AcademiphileAcademiphile
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Making sure we understand the rules associated with using commas is essential in English. If you want your writing to flow correctly, you’ll need to understand the comma rules. In this article, we’ll look at how commas apply to the word “unfortunately” in various ways.
Should I Place A Comma Before Or After “Unfortunately”?
“Unfortunately” has a comma before and after it when used as an additional piece of information in the text. It has a comma only after it when used as a disjunctive adverb at the start of a sentence (to express regret). If used as an adjective, no comma is needed.
Unfortunately, the word “unfortunately” doesn’t come with simple rules. There are three different variations of it which explain how it’s used in different situations. Luckily, once you’ve read through this article, you’ll have a more thorough understanding of how it works.
According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “unfortunately” is “used to say that something is sad, disappointing, or has a bad effect.”
When Should I Place A Comma Before “Unfortunately”?
So, let’s go over each case using “unfortunately” and how comma rules apply to it. We’ll start with placing a comma before it to see how it’s impacted.
When using a comma before “unfortunately,” you must always include a comma after. This turns it into something called a parenthetical element (using parentheses just like this).
Sometimes, you might not include the comma directly after “unfortunately.” In these cases, it’s because there’s more to add to the parenthetical element before you can close it with a comma.
- The new government, unfortunately elected by the masses, is putting forward seriously devastating agendas.
In this case, the parenthetical element includes “elected by the masses,” so the comma is only used before “unfortunately.”
It’s very rare for a case like this to come up, which is why we say it’s best to always remember that a comma is used before and after “unfortunately” in this case.
The Parenthetical Element
To help you understand what we mean about using a parenthetical element, we’ll include some examples and discuss them more later.
- He, unfortunately, wasn’t feeling well enough to attend.
- You, unfortunately, have a few weeks left before you’re evicted.
- Sorry to say this, but, unfortunately, we’ll have to revoke your rights.
In all of these examples, we’re using “unfortunately” as a parenthetical element. You might be slightly confused by what that word means still, but we have a really simple solution.
In all of the examples, you can remove “unfortunately” from the sentence and still have it make sense. Yes, “unfortunately” adds meaning in this way, but we don’t need it for the sentence to work.
- He wasn’t feeling well enough to attend.
- You have a few weeks left before you’re evicted.
- Sorry to say this, but we’ll have to revoke your rights.
As you can see, we can remove “unfortunately” entirely from the sentence. The general meaning is still conveyed, but that’s the rough idea of why we use parenthetical elements. They simply add further information to the sentence.
When Should I Place A Comma After “Unfortunately”?
Next, let’s go over placing a comma after “unfortunately.” The same rules apply here as we mentioned above since you can’t write “unfortunately as a parenthetical element” without including a comma after.
“Unfortunately” is written with a comma after it as either a parenthetical element or a disjunctive adverb. A disjunctive is an adverb used at the start of a sentence with a comma directly after it.
Some people like to connect adverbs like “unfortunately” to the previous sentence with a semi-colon. Other times, a period is required. In either of these cases, it’s good to include a comma after the word, but obviously, there isn’t room to use one before.
We won’t go through using “unfortunately” with a comma before and after since we’ve already covered it above. We’ll focus on using it as a disjunctive.
Disjunctive Adverb
A disjunctive adverb is the opposite of a conjunctive adverb. A disjunctive adverb uses a period before it and starts a new sentence. A conjunctive adverb uses a semi-colon before it to connect it to the previous clause.
Generally, a conjunctive adjective can also be a disjunctive adjective. “Unfortunately” is mostly used as a disjunctive, meaning you can start an entirely new sentence with the adverb “unfortunately” and use a comma directly after it to convey the emotion.
- Unfortunately, I won’t be able to help you until I return.
- Unfortunately, you can’t keep doing this and getting away with it.
- Unfortunately, his father passed away not long after his sixteenth birthday.
In all of these cases, we start the sentence with “unfortunately.” That means we only need to include a comma after it rather than before. Similar to the parenthetical element above, we can still remove the word “unfortunately” and have it hold the same general meaning.
- I won’t be able to help you until I return.
- You can’t keep doing this and getting away with it.
- His father passed away not long after his sixteenth birthday.
As you can see, we can remove “unfortunately” at the start of the sentence here. We include it in the first place because we use it to express regret or sadness. It just adds extra meaning to the whole sentence through a separate clause.
How Do You Use “Unfortunately” In The Middle Of A Sentence?
There are a few cases where “unfortunately” is used in the middle of a sentence. The two we want to talk about are using it as a modifier – one for adjectives and the other for verbs.
In both of these cases, no commas are needed when we write “unfortunately.” There is the instance we explored earlier of using it as a parenthetical element which also includes it in the middle of the sentence.
However, the modifier form of “unfortunately” works slightly differently.
We use “unfortunately” as a modifier for a verb or an adjective when we want to change the meaning slightly to show that there is deep regret, sympathy, or sorrow.
Both verbs and adjectives are possible to modify in these cases. You’ll often find “unfortunately” comes directly after the pronoun and directly before the verb or adjective in question.
Verb Examples/Parenthetical Element
We’ll go over some verb modifier examples first of all.
- He unfortunately missed his train by about four minutes.
- She unfortunately got lost.
- I unfortunately need to go home.
In all of these cases, it’s possible to use commas as a parenthetical element or to avoid them completely. This is mostly related to personal preference rather than any particular language rules.
- He, unfortunately, missed his train by about four minutes.
- She, unfortunately, got lost.
- I, unfortunately, need to go home.
Adjective Examples
- The unfortunately missing boy was finally found today.
- My unfortunately blind dog is turning three.
- Her unfortunately deaf child is one of the nicest children I’ve ever met.
Unlike the verb modifier form, there is never a case where commas can be used when “unfortunately” is used as a modifier for adjectives. It must also be kept alone without commas.
Can You Start A Sentence With “Unfortunately”?
You can start a sentence with “unfortunately” when you’re using it as a disjunctive adverb. That means that you start a new sentence and put a comma directly after it. It’s used to add a meaning of sadness or regret to the following clause.
When used at the start of a sentence, “unfortunately” becomes its own clause. You add a comma to the end of it to showcase this. It’s possible to remove it and still have the sentence mean the same thing, though you’ll be losing some of the impact and emotion that comes with the word.
Is It Ever Correct To Use “Unfortunately” Without A Comma?
It is correct to use “unfortunately” without a comma in two cases. When you’re using it as a modifier for a verb or an adjective, you can write it in the middle of a sentence without a comma.
In the case of using it as a verb modifier, it’s up to the writer whether they want to include commas or not. The following examples indicate this:
- You, unfortunately, don’t have what it takes.
- You unfortunately don’t have what it takes.
Both cases are correct. The first example is the parenthetical element, where “unfortunately” can be removed. The second example is modifying the verb “don’t.”
You can also use it as a modifier for an adjective. In this case, it’s always correct to use it without commas, and you can’t write it as a parenthetical element.
- My unfortunately injured hand is slowly recovering.
Unfortunately – Synonyms
Finally, let’s look at some alternatives to using “unfortunately” that we might be able to use in similar ways.
- Sadly
We can express the sadness in our emotions by using “sadly” instead of “unfortunately.” It’s a more common word to use because “sad” is the typical emotion we express.
- Regrettably
If we regret the sentence we’re about to write, then “regrettably” is also a great word to use in place of “unfortunately.”
You may also like: 12 Better Words For “Unfortunately” In Formal Emails
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
Commas are easy to miss or erroneously add to a sentence, even if you are a native English speaker. Those who paid attention during their grammar classes in school are also not immune from making comma-related errors in their manuscripts. Moreover, different writing styles provide varied perspectives on comma usage, which only makes it trickier to get comma placements right.
A comma indicates a pause in a sentence. The presence of a comma ascertains where the pause begins and where it ends. Using a comma before or after a word, phrase, or clause depends on where you intend to have that pause in a given sentence.
There are multiple comma usage rules, and the factors determining their usage are not black and white. It takes a learned mind and a discerning eye to figure out when commas should go in a sentence and when they should be shunned. Keep reading to learn the basics of comma usage with different words.
What is a Comma?
A comma denotes a brief pause in a sentence. It’s a punctuation mark used to separate words, ideas, clauses, etc. in a sentence. Commas are required after dependent clauses and before coordinating conjunctions.
However, a comma not just creates a momentary pause in a sentence. A comma, when used right, lays the foundation for clear correspondence. Missing commas could sabotage a text or completely change a sentence’s meaning.
Here is a sentence with a comma, «We shall learn how to cut and insert, children.»
And this is the same sentence without the comma, «We shall learn how to cut and insert children.»
Looking at the sentences above, even those with rudimentary English knowledge would be able to discern how the second sentence’s meaning changes when the comma goes missing.
Commas, when needed, are critical to a sentence’s structure, meaning, and readability. There have been, in fact, instances of people losing money in the millions due to a missing comma.
Using Commas Before or After Words
A comma is commonly used in the middle of a sentence to separate two different clauses, right before the transition word. If a sentence is listing out things, multiple commas could be used. A comma is usually not placed after a conjunction or similar word, but there are instances when that could be the case.
Here is a massive list of various words and how commas can or should be used around them.
Comma Before or After «And»
A comma can be used before «and» if the conjunction links a couple of independent clauses. To understand how a comma works with «and», you must know a few grammar rules – more specifically, an independent clause.
An independent clause is essentially a part of a sentence that can be a sentence on its own. In other words, it comprises a subject and a verb.
Let’s understand the same with an example sentence: «She was walking, and she saw a duck».
In this sentence, the conjunction «and» connects the two independent clauses. If the two clauses were separated to form their own sentences, they will still make meaningful, grammatically correct sentences. «She was walking.»; «She saw a duck.»
In the original sentence, alongside the conjunction «and», a comma is also used to separate the two clauses.
A comma would not be needed if the sentence read something like, «She was walking and saw a duck.» It’s okay to not have a comma in this sentence as the second clause doesn’t have the subject «she» anymore.
What about placing a comma after «and»? Though not as common, putting a comma after «and» is not unheard of or even grammatically incorrect. A comma typically goes after «and» if the conjunction is followed by a conditional clause.
For example,
- The finance department found the missing thousand dollars and, unfortunately, we’ll have to terminate you.
- Tim walked into the city and, while being there, rode the metro.
Comma Before or After «But»
The rule for putting a comma before «but» can be quite tricky and easily overdone. The conjunction «but» should have a comma before it only if it’s linking two independent clauses – just like how it works with «and». If not, you don’t need a comma.
Sentences with a comma before «but»:
- I want to become a professional playback singer, but I am not sure if I have the voice for it.
- I love her, but I am not ready for marriage.
A sentence without a comma before «but»:
- I left Kevin a message yesterday but have no response message yet.
In the above sentence, there is no comma before «but» as there is no subject before the second verb. Another example,
- Martha tried the new weight-loss diet but did not lose any weight.
As far as placing a comma after «but» is concerned, it’s usually not the norm like it’s the case with most conjunctions. When a sentence, however, begins with «But», it could have a comma right after. For example,
- But, they were just too many.
When the conjunction «but» is used in the latter part of the sentence, it could have a comma right after only if the comma is parenthetical or used with another comma. For example,
- Arthur is a great athlete but, due to this injury, he couldn’t make it into the team.
Comma Before or After «Which»
Using a comma before «which» is a common practice. However, a comma before «which» is not always required and at times incorrect grammatically. A comma can be used before «which» if the phrase after it is nonrestrictive.
A nonrestrictive clause offers supplemental or add-on information about the subject already discussed in the sentence. For example,
- Adam’s new bike, which is only two months old, is having fuel economy issues.
The phrase «which is only two months old» is considered non-restrictive because removing it won’t change the sentence’s meaning.
- Adam’s new bike is having fuel economy issues.
If the phrase (is restrictive) adds a lot more value or could potentially wreck the sentence if taken out, a comma is not needed.
In fact, the word «which» will get replaced by «that». For example,
- Smartphones that Rudolph purchases always go bust within a year.
If the restrictive phrase «that Rudolph purchases» were to be edited out, the sentence may not lose its structure, but it would certainly not mean the same thing. The sentence would then be talking about smartphones in general and not specifically Rudolph’s phones.
- Smartphones always go bust within a year.
Here are some more examples of sentences with «which» and a comma before the word:
- My father’s house, which sits in a posh locality, can do a fresh coat of paint.
- Harper’s latest YouTube video, which he spent a week filming and editing, is now trending on the platform.
- Everyone loved Mark’s new book, which he had been working on for the last two years.
A comma before «which» is not required if the word is a prepositional phrase. The following are examples of incorrect comma usage with «which»:
- They listened to four speeches, of, which one lasted for more than an hour.
- The package in, which the product arrived had no sender’s address.
The above sentences could do without the commas.
A comma can be used after «which» if the comma is paired with another comma or the sentence has a parenthetical phrase. For example,
- The party would take place in the dining hall which, for people who are not aware of, is in the first block.
In this sentence, the comma could also be used before «which», but then you’ll have to get rid of the other comma. Here is the single comma version:
- The party would take place in the dining hall, which for people who are not aware of is in the first block.
Comma Before or After «Because»
The word «because» is typically used to connect two phrases in a sentence. A comma before the word is, therefore, not required. If no comma, however, leads to ambiguity, an exception can be made.
Here are example sentences demonstrating where to insert a comma or not use one around «because»:
- I like swimming and cycling because they are fun.
- I cannot cook my favorite meal because I don’t have all the ingredients I need.
- Stephen did not pass the test, because of his lack of preparation.
Sentences that usually have a comma before «because» are the ones that are in contrast with the initial part of the sentence.
In the third sentence above, if the comma is removed, it could imply that Stephen did not pass the test not because he didn’t prepare well but due to some other reason. With the comma in place, the relationship between him not clearing the test and his lack of preparation is clearly established.
Also, sentences with «because» don’t need a comma if the primary and secondary messages in a sentence are inseparable. If they could be proper sentences by themselves, a comma is needed to link the two.
A comma could be placed after «because» if the commas are in pairs or the phrase between the two commas can be eliminated without impacting the sentence – like it’s the case with comma usage after most other words on this list.
For example,
- After this monumental finding, everything looked unique because, one may ask, why a photon should at times be a photon in addition to being an electron-positron pair.
Comma Before or After «While»
A comma should not be used before «while» if the word is replacing the phrase «at the same time». A comma, however, can be used after the conjunction if used as a replacement word for «although» or «whereas».
When used as a conjunction, «while» could mean two things: one meaning relates to time, and another denotes a contrast.
The following are sentences in which not using a comma with «while» is correct:
- I worked so hard that I passed out on my desk while others were sleeping in their cozy beds.
- Buy the phone while it’s still up for grabs.
Using a comma with «while»:
- I like chocolate ice cream, while my wife is more into vanilla.
- The price of smartphones has been on the rise, while mobile data prices have been continually dipping.
When using «while» at the start of a sentence, you obviously don’t need a comma before it. But if «while» is used as an alternate word for «whereas», you’ll have to insert a comma somewhere in the sentence, even if not in front of the word. For example,
- While my friends use iPhone, I am a hardcore Android fan.
The same sentence could be rephrased as:
- My friends use iPhone, whereas I am a hardcore Android fan.
A comma is almost never used after «while».
Comma Before or After «Such As»
The phrase «such as» is used to introduce examples in a sentence. It doesn’t require a comma before it if the information used is a restrictive clause. If the added piece of information is nonrestrictive or not essential to the sentence’s meaning, a comma is required.
Here is an example:
- You’ll find different kinds of coniferous trees, such as spruce and pine, in this forest.
The phrase «spruce and pine» is nonrestrictive or taking it out would not affect the sentence’s meaning. «You’ll find different kinds of coniferous trees in this forest» still sounds correct without the non-essential phrase.
A comma must not be used with «such as» if it’s followed by a restrictive clause. For example,
- Trees such as elms and oaks do not grow at this height.
If you removed the phrase «such as elms and oaks», the sentence would fail to convey what it originally intended to.
Basically, if the examples that follow «such as» are not integral components of the sentence, a comma is needed after «such as». If the examples are essential, a comma is not needed.
Most importantly, there should never be a comma or any other punctuation after «such as».
Comma Before or After «So»
The conjunction «so» is used to separate two different clauses in a sentence. A comma must be placed before «so» if the clause after it is an independent clause. A comma is not required if the clause is dependent or integral to the sentence.
For example,
- The store had no 4K TVs, so I went to the other outlet.
- Martin brought in the maximum number of leads last month, so he was given two additional days off the next month.
Here are examples of sentences with the «so» conjunction, but without the comma, as there are no two independent clauses:
- He headed to the fish market so he could buy some fish.
- Mary worked hard so she could secure a promotion.
In these sentences, the phrases «so he could buy some fish» and «so she could secure a promotion» are not independent clauses or they cannot stand on their own as a single thought. If these phrases were used by themselves, the reader would want to know the preface or what happened before the sentences.
To be sure «so» in a sentence doesn’t require a comma before it, replace the conjunction with «therefore», a conjunctive adverb. If «therefore» sits well with the sentence, you need a comma before «so». If it doesn’t fit into the sentence, a comma before «so» is not required.
Incorrect and correct placements of «therefore» in the above sentences:
- The store had no 4K TVs; therefore, I went to the other store. (Correct)
- He headed to the fish market therefore he could buy some fish. (Incorrect)
Since «so» separates two independent clauses or suggests a change in the tone of a sentence, it only comes with a comma before it and not after.
However, when used in questions or at the starting of a sentence, the word «so» may have a comma after it. For example,
- So, are you going out with her?
- So, how did the interview go?
There are also instances when «so» may not be followed by a comma if it comes at the beginning of a sentence.
- So I heard that Tim is moving to Dallas.
Comma Before or After «Too»
Generally, a comma is used before «too» for emphasis or to indicate an unexpected shift in thought. The adverb could be placed in the middle or at the end of a sentence.
For example,
- I, too, like pizza.
- I like burgers too.
- I will be coming, too.
That said, there is no binding rule as far as comma usage before «too» is concerned. As commas indicate a pause, particularly when ’emphasis’ is meant, reading a sentence aloud and discerning if there’s a likely pause would help ascertain whether a comma goes with «too» in the sentence.
Both the sentences – one with the emphasis and the other without one – are correct:
- I, too, love spending time with you.
- I too love spending time with you.
Also, a comma can be placed after «too» only if the comma is in a pair.
The comma placement in this sentence is not correct:
- I too, love spending time with you.
Comma Before or After «Or»
When «or» separates two components, you need not use a comma with it. For example, comma usage in this sentence is incorrect,
- Would you like your martini stirred, or shaken?
It should be:
- Would you like your martini stirred or shaken?
Another example of incorrect comma usage before «or»,
- Do you like chocolate, or ice cream?
The correct sentence is:
- Do you like chocolate or ice cream?
If the sentence has three or more distinct elements, use commas to differentiate them. For example,
- The three popular ice cream flavors are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
In some writing styles, the third comma – called the serial comma – may be missing. Therefore, the sentence could also be written as,
- The three popular ice cream flavors are vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.
The comma usage in both the sentences is correct. However, the inclusion of the third comma does make the first sentence look clinical and more readable.
Your sentences could either have or not have the serial comma. Whatever your approach, make sure you stay consistent or do not swing between the two – at least not in the same manuscript.
A comma usually doesn’t go after «or». If you don’t want to put the comma before «or», you will have to break the two clauses into two independent sentences, with a question mark separating the two. For example,
- Do you work from home? Or do you have an office set up somewhere?
Comma Before or After «Including»
The word «including» is used to introduce a phrase/clause or a non-exhaustive list of items. A comma is used before «including» when the word is followed by a non-essential, non-restrictive clause or phrase and can be separated from the first or primary part of the sentence.
Also, a comma or no comma before «including» could make or break a sentence. For example,
- I enjoy cooking Italian, including pasta.
- I enjoy cooking Italian including pasta.
In the first sentence, it’s clear the subject likes to cook Italian food, which includes making pasta. However, in the second sentence where there is no comma, the meaning changes completely. It indicates the subject likes to cook Italian food only if pasta is on the ingredients list.
A few more sentences where a comma is needed before «including»:
- The new rules apply to all, including the teaching staff.
- Most root vegetables, including parsnips and turnips, are high in vitamin C.
If «including» is at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is not required after it. For example,
- Including the iPhone 11 and the iPad Pro, I bought myself two new gadgets this year.
- Including myself, our office currently has 20 full-time employees.
Even when not the first word in a sentence, the word «including» may not have a comma before it. For example,
- The tablet sells for $600, not including the stylus.
- Was he including Tom into the team?
A comma is usually not placed right after «including», like how a colon or semi-colon doesn’t go after the word.
Comma Before or After «As Well As»
The term «as well as» usually has no comma before it. In a sentence, it typically leads to fresh and necessary information that cannot be offset by a comma.
For example,
- Kindly make us some boiled rice as well as fish curry.
The above sentence denotes a person is requesting another person to make them both boiled rice and fish curry. The words «as well as» are not defining the nouns prior to it or providing any information than can be left out.
If the information after «as well as» is non-essential or less important, a comma will be needed before the phrase. For example,
- Kindly make us some boiled rice and fish curry, as well as soup.
A comma is usually used before and also after «as well as» if the information is not vital to the sentence’s meaning and flow. For example,
- Marcus, as well as Terrence, is extremely particular about keeping the room clean.
In this sentence, if you take out the «as well as Terrence» part, the sentence will still read fine. Not to mention, putting commas with «as well as» takes the focus off Terrence.
Comma Before or After «However»
The conjunctive adverb «however» can be used in multiple ways, and its punctuation requirements will vary accordingly. The word «however» denotes the association between two contrasting independent clauses.
Here are sentences in which «however» has a comma before and/or after it:
- The doctors claimed that the patient was out of danger; however, they still recommended keeping her under observation for a couple of weeks.
- However, you should not have said that.
- I plan to continue in this office for one more year; however, she is leaving now.
- It is, however, very tough to decode them all.
The word «however» usually has a semicolon before it if the phrase following it is an independent clause. If «however» is used as an interruption in a sentence, a comma usually goes before it.
Kindly note «however» is a strong transition word. Not using a comma before and/or after it could cause ambiguity.
Comma Before or After «Since»
The conjunction «since» could be used in multiple ways. The word usually doesn’t require a comma if it plays the role of a preposition. For example,
- I have not seen him since 2015.
- She has been much happier ever since she moved out of that city.
- We last met a couple of years ago, and she has only become bitterer since.
At times, «since» could be used instead of «because» and it may not need a comma even then. For example,
- Jim purchased more socks since he was losing them regularly.
- The theater company had to stall its production work since it was lacking funding.
If the phrase after «since» is a negative phrase, a comma is required before it. For example,
- Paula couldn’t go for the interview, since she had to go to the hospital.
You could replace «since» with «because» in the last two sentences above. Not to mention, «since» is more formal than «because».
It is not common practice to follow up «since» with a comma, however.
Comma Before or After «Who»
The pronoun «who» is interrogative and invariably denotes humans. It could be used to seek information about an individual or could also begin a clause that provides extra information about someone. A comma usually doesn’t go before «who». If there is one, it is most likely parenthetical.
In other words, the phrase accompanying «who» is an independent clause. For example,
- My eldest daughter, who just turned nine, is a child prodigy.
In this sentence, the phrase «who just turned nine» could be removed without affecting the sentence’s grammar or readability.
If the phrase after «who» is a restrictive clause, a comma should not be used. For example,
- I admire students who work hard throughout the year.
Since there is no comma in the sentence, it clearly means the subject likes students who work hard throughout an academic year.
If there happened to be a comma, it would indicate the phrase after who is non-restrictive or not important to the sentence. The phrase before «who», after the non-essential information is taken out, would turn into an ambiguous statement. In other words, «I admire students» would sound incomplete.
Talking about commas right after «who», they are usually not or almost never used.
Comma Before or After a «Quotation»
There must always be a comma before or after a quote. If a sentence starts with the quote, the comma will be after the quote. If a sentence ends with a quote, there must be a comma before the quote. Also, if the attribution is prior to the quote, the comma should be outside the quote.
For example,
- Jim said, «I ate ice cream.»
If the attribution is after the quote, the comma should be within the quote:
- «I ate ice cream,» said Jim.
Placing a comma after or outside a quote is incorrect, as per American English writing guides.
- «I’ll be there tomorrow», said Alex (incorrect)
- «I’ll be there tomorrow,» said Alex (correct)
In UK English, however, it’s not wrong to have the comma after and outside a quote. The Associated Press (AP), The Chicago Manual of Style, and Modern Language Association (MLA) go with the American rule. Therefore, if you are not specifically catering to UK readers, it’s recommended you keep your commas inside the quote.
Comma Before or After «Where»
«Where» is an interrogative word. It’s accompanied by a comma based on how it’s used or where it goes in a sentence. In other words, if the phrase or words after «where» represent a non-restrictive clause or offer additional information that could be edited out, a comma becomes mandatory.
The following are sentences with and without a comma before «where»:
- I would like to move to New York where there are business opportunities galore.
- I have no clue where we are.
- We headed to the other restaurant, where she found her ex on a date with another girl.
If «where» is used at the beginning, like in a question, a comma is not needed. For example,
- Where do you come from?
- Where could I find authentic Japanese food?
- Where were you yesterday?
A comma is pretty much never used after «where» – whether it is in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. However, if it’s a part of a quote and the quoted sentence ends with «where», you could have a comma after the word. For example,
- «I am not certain where,» he lied.
Comma Before or After «Then»
The word «then» can possibly have a comma before and/or after it or have no comma at all. It is common practice to use a comma before «then» if the sentence starts with the word «If».
For example,
- If I were to use proper punctuation, then I would be generous with my comma usage.
- If God can hear my prayers, then he will grant my wish.
- If you don’t eat your vegetables, then you will not grow strong.
A sentence with a «then» and a comma before it invariably has the «If» hypothesis. But if there is «and» instead of a comma, the sentence is unlikely to be an «If-then» type sentence. For example,
- He muttered something and then drove away.
- Jonathan glanced at Patrick and then slapped him right away.
Kindly note, an «If-then» sentence may not have «then» in it and still be fine. For example,
- If God could hear my prayers, he will grant my wish.
- If you don’t eat your veggies, you will not grow strong.
The word «then» can also have a comma after it in a sentence. For example,
- Since then, she has been more careful.
Comma Before or After «Though»
The word «though» is a conjunction typically used in place of words such as «however» and «moreover». It usually has commas on its sides if it’s all by itself somewhere in the middle of a sentence.
For example,
- I think she knew, though, that he was not coming back.
Here are a couple of sentences in which the word has a comma before it:
- I didn’t really get your point, though.
- She was leaning against the gate, though.
When a sentence starts with «Though», there is no comma anywhere close to the word. Here is an example sentence:
- Though she studied hard, she couldn’t pass the exam.
A comma is also usually not needed before «though» if a sentence ends with the word. For example,
- I am not sure how relevant it is in today’s times though.
However, when reading the sentence aloud, the word «though» could indicate a brief pause. Therefore, the same sentence could also have a comma.
- I am not sure how relevant it is in today’s times, though.
It is not incorrect either way, but if not using a comma feels correct, go ahead and leave it out.
Conclusion
Learning English, particularly the grammar part, is a work-in-progress. The key to not making mistakes with commas is not just religiously conforming to the rulebook, but also being able to answer the question, «What is a comma doing in that sentence?». If you could answer that question every time you use a comma, the punctuation would start making more sense.
Commas were used more extensively in olden texts, particularly in novels from the Victorian era. Modern literature, however, has gravitated toward using the comma and other forms of punctuation less often. Punctuation styles have evolved, to say the least.
If you feel a sentence could do without a comma, you need not put one in. But if the absence of a comma changes the meaning of a sentence or the sentence just doesn’t read and look right anymore, please use a comma.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.