It depends on how "so" is functioning in the sentence; whether it marks a substantial turn or change, or whether it's a continuation. You have two previous sentences- Close your eyes and put your finger on any letter. Because "so" serves as a subordinating conjunction here, you won't need a comma. There are a couple of reasons why we wouldn't normally see a comma-followed so in writing. If you are unsure if you should place a comma before so in the middle of your sentence try replacing so with therefore or so. It's often used as what's known as a discourse marker. A comma after "then" is also necessary when it is preceded by a semicolon. Use a comma after transition words and phrases that begin a sentence: however, therefore, on the other hand, for example, etc. It is appropriate to use a comma after the date when you are separating the day of the month from the year in a written sentence. The comma is unnatural in those sentences in which 'then' means something like 'in that case'. Please support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/roelv. Yes, you can start a sentence with although! Here is one reason: So followed by a comma usually indicates a discourse marker. Use a comma before the conjunction when the sentence halves can stand alone. K-8 Boost Your Child's Math & ELA Scores | ArgoPrep That applies regardless of what "so" means there or what grammatical term you think would describe it. Despite his best efforts, the hero failed. Let's look at each function in detail. As an adverb, "then", is used to change the meaning of the sentence, having a strong impact on the reader's understanding: Example 1: He then became the principal of our school. Comma After "Then" When Beginning Sentences? #3. However might be used to interrupt a sentence. At the present time so far as the Roman Catholic Church is. Although commas are used in many different ways, in this video we're only going to address the use of commas with the conjunctions 'and' and 'so.'. If so begins an independent clause, a comma should precede it, but if it begins a dependent clause, leave it out. This answer is: Helpful ( 0 . Examples: "I only have just enough in the bank to pick up some bread and eggs. When used as a subordinating conjunction, no comma is required. It is important to note that a comma should always be used if the sentence could be misinterpreted otherwise. However, for most people, a sentence that starts with such a conjunction still looks a little nonconformist. An adverbial or participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence is usually followed by a comma, especially if a slight pause is intended. It is essentially an abbreviation for "So tell me". Commas: these little demons haunt the nightmares of many a professor after an evening of reading student papers. It seems nearly impossible to remember and apply the seventeen or so comma rules that seem to given out as the standard. CORRECT. It is very rare that an introductory dependent clause will not need a comma. Then look at the words after but: it's raining outside.Both of those phrases could stand alone as complete sentences. Open your eyes.] Comma After So At Beginning of Sentence If you're using "so" as a conjunctive adverb at the beginning of a sentence—which happens often enough in dialogue and other less formal writing—a comma comes right afterward. In general, formal/academic writing frowns on using conjunctions to begin a sentence, even though it is technically correct. In conclusion, including berries in your diet may help fight inflammation as well as be good for your skin. 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. So far definition. When "then" is used as an adverb at the beginning of the sentence, however, a comma should be introduced following it. Then look at the words after but: it's raining outside.Both of those phrases could stand alone as complete sentences. Commas almost always follow phrases at the beginning of sentences; use the comma to separate the phrase from the independent clause. Thank you in advance and sorry about being anon. Tonight, unlike most other nights, was a quiet night in the neighborhood. I kept a composition book on my writing desk, but its pages remained blank. For more on coordinating . There should be a comma after "from time to time": "¢ From time to time, parents and school administration may hear students complain about receiving unfair practices from the teachers. Here are the options: I like oats. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. or If you go, please be careful. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. You can also put a comma after the year if the sentence calls for it. In casual writing and speech, people sometimes start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Each of the following sentences may look like it requires a comma after the opening segment (marked with an x), but the opening segment is really the subject. 3. I know of these two arguments: (1) An introductory element is followed by a comma. Therefore: When he reached home, he found the letter. This does not take into account parentheticals and . When it is the second clause in the sentence, we do not use a comma. Okay, that's settled. after a conjunction or at the start of a clause where you should use a comma after it if you want to emphasize it, e.g. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off transition words and phrases as well as clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. The answer depends on whether the clause introduced by so is an independent or dependent clause. In formal writing, in contrast to a casual style, a so that begins a sentence is not followed by a comma. . I am not sure whether to put a comma after "so", which is at the beginning of a sentenceHelpful? If the main clause of the sentence comes first, you don't usually need a comma before the introductory clause. The comma goes between the introduction and the subject and must not separate the subject from the verb. Learn more about comma placements and when to use them with conjunctions. 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. 3 Comma after so in. Examples: Yes, I do need that report. But it is something I see a lot in sentences like "But, there were too many of them to count " or "But, we were afraid the situation would get worse." When I see these commas in the work of writers, I invariably cross them out. As you can see above, "then" is not followed by a comma. 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 then often fol­lowed by a comma, which is pro­nounced as a pause: Sure you can work in the Antarctic. However, the example sentences in Cambridge Dictionary seem to invalidate this rule. Should you place a comma before so when it joins two clauses in a sentence? A partial list of sentence adverbs— admittedly. Use a comma to separate the elements in a full date (weekday, month and day, year) Example: Friday, June 8, 2018, was a great day to go to the beach. Using Commas After So. An interjection at the beginning of a sentence is traditionally followed by a comma. Use "And" and "But" for Impact. A comma is normally placed before a coordinating conjunction ( and, but, or, so, yet) that joins two independent subject-verb clauses—that is, clauses that could stand on their own as complete sentences. It is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "however." In fact, starting a sentence with "however" should be encouraged not discouraged. Commas can often be forgotten when using conjunctions. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. You can skip the commas with single-word adverbs of time , such as " afterward ", " then ", " later " or " subsequently ". " Thanks in advance. The exception, in my opinion, is with the word "so." I like a little comma action when I start a sentence with "so." And this guy at Just Publishing Advice agrees with me:. For example, Fowler's Modern English Usage would say yes. When we use "then" as a temporal adverb, a comma should not be placed following it. The Chicago Manual of Style* states: "Introductory phrase with comma. Whereas he once offered us plenty of use, he now offers nothing. We should acknowledge, though, that contemporary editors often do not demand a comma in these situations if the sentence is concise, and the sense is clear and unambiguous without it . But in fiction, where "so" is used in dialogue, the comma after so is a matter of house style. Examples: 1) We are having the party on Oct. 4, 2011, in our backyard. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. English 1b3 SnarfYou wouldn't put that comma there?Now that I think about it, I think I would place a comma after 'again' when it begins the sentence but not when it ends the sentence:The town was quiet once again.Once again, the town was quiet. 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. No comma " So is a good word for beginning a sentence," says Garner's Modern American Usage because "The shorter word affords a brisker pace" compared with words such as "however," "additionally," or "therefore." Garner doesn't specifically opine on whether to use a comma, but none of his examples use one. When a sentence doesn't begin with the subject but has instead an introductory word or phrase, a comma must separate the introduction from the rest of the sentence. Copy. When you use a. For me, the . Yes, it was a great day for disco. 'Still' as a Conjunctive Adverb. For example: Mark and Dawn. Don't forget to also add a comma after the . 2. Second, .. Then', a comma is not put after 'Then'. In formal writing, so at the beginning of a sentence would not likely be followed by a comma. Ah, youth! That means they're independent clauses, so you need to use a comma before but.That phrase can't stand by itself as a complete sentence, which means it's a dependent clause. But other guides might have a different suggestion. However, bear in mind many people/teachers don't like this in your writing. If you start a sentence with an although idea, end the idea with a comma, and follow it with a real sentence. It has no particular meaning or relevance, and will usually be written with a comma. You mainly place the comma after "so" when it is a conjunction at the start of the sentence. Use a comma after transition words and phrases that begin a sentence: however, therefore, on the other hand, for example, etc. Well, it was the best we could do at the time. So, I missed the 5:26 pm train, and then 5:55 pm, but finally made the 6:25 pm train. It depends on what you are expressing: Tonight was a quiet night in the neighborhood. The second comparison will either be in the sentence before or in the second clause of the same sentence as "whereas.". 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.. Forums Grammar & Sentence Structure 1 3,320 + 0. . We can use it as part of the first clause in a sentence to make the first comparison. It's also possible to see a semi-colon come before "yet," if the sentence allows it. Despite that, this decision mainly lies in two writing circumstances: (1) when using it as a coordinating conjunction and (2) when inserting it as a parenthetical element. For example, this sentence from The Walker in Shadows: "A mile or so from the highway the road divided," would have benefited from adding a comma after "highway." I think It should be done for the sake of cultivating good habits alone. 3. [lame joke intended] "So" is some­times used to start a sen­tence (often fol­lowed by a comma) when the whole dis­cus­sion has come to an end, or an im­por­tant ques­tion en . This comma has always been more of a convention than a rule: the . All of us must have had doubtful moments whether or not to hook a comma before so in sentences. The more nuanced answer follows: Here's a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don't have to trip you up. Apr 11 2015 18:01:38. anonymous + 0. You don't usually need a comma if a dependent clause comes after the main clause. Incorrect: April 15, 2018 marks our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. All modern style guides support using words like "and," "but," and "or" at the start of sentences. Suppose you wrote "Although the hurricane was headed our way.". Here's a good discussion. So as a coordinating conjunction Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off transition words and phrases as well as clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. So, I won't be buying any frozen pizzas today." 1. In this case, a comma must always come after "yet" because it acts as a conjunction. You can go, but please, be careful. Comma Before 'And' & 'So'. Since these sentences are so closely related, you could use a semicolon instead of a period. In fact, a substantial percentage (often as many as 10 percent) of the sentences in first-rate writing begin with conjunctions. Each of the following sentences may look like it requires a comma after the opening segment (marked with an x), but the opening segment is really the subject. It's sometimes easy to confuse gerund- or infinitive-phrase subjects like the following with nonessential introductory phrases, so be careful.