The dos and don’ts of commas can be confusing – especially when it comes to conjunctions like but. Whether a comma should go before or after but depends on the specific sentence and the context in which it’s used. In this post, we’ll discuss when to use a comma with but and demonstrate with some examples.
But is most commonly used as a conjunction that introduces a contrast or exception to what has been previously stated. It often indicates a contradiction or shift in thought. Use a comma before but when it connects two independent clauses (parts of a sentence that could stand alone). For example:
Note that you should only use a comma when connecting two independent clauses. Don’t use a comma before but if what follows could not stand alone as a complete sentence. For example:
In the first example, a comma is needed before but because what follows is a complete thought with a subject and predicate. In the second example, the phrase “but left early” is not an independent clause so no comma is needed.
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If but is used within a sentence to set off a parenthetical clause (a phrase that adds extra information but isn’t essential to the sentence’s meaning) or an interrupter, a comma is used after but. If what follows is an independent clause, then a comma is used before and after but. For example:
Note that it’s not strictly necessary to use commas to set off short phrases like “of course,” “in fact,” or “unfortunately” if they are an essential part of the sentence. When deciding whether to use commas in these situations, it’s good practice to consider the clarity of your writing and whether commas would enhance or disrupt the overall flow of the sentence.
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