Does a comma come before or after the word “but”? This is a common question among English speakers, especially those who are learning or refining their grammar skills. The answer to this question can be quite simple, but it’s important to understand the rules and exceptions to ensure clarity and correctness in writing.
In general, a comma should come after the word “but” when it is used to connect two independent clauses. For example, in the sentence “I wanted to go to the movies, but I had to work late,” the comma is placed after “but” because it connects two complete thoughts: “I wanted to go to the movies” and “I had to work late.” This is known as a compound sentence, and the comma is necessary to separate the two independent clauses.
However, when “but” is used as a conjunction to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, the comma should come before “but.” In this case, “but” is not connecting two independent clauses, but rather a dependent clause to an independent clause. For example, in the sentence “I was tired, but I decided to go for a run,” the comma is placed before “but” because it connects the dependent clause “I was tired” to the independent clause “I decided to go for a run.”
It’s important to note that the comma before “but” is not always required. If the dependent clause is very short or if the independent clause is very long, the comma may be omitted without affecting the meaning of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “I was tired, but I decided to go for a run,” the comma before “but” could be omitted without changing the meaning.
In conclusion, the placement of the comma before or after the word “but” depends on the role it plays in the sentence. A comma should come after “but” when it connects two independent clauses, and a comma should come before “but” when it connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Understanding these rules will help you write clear and grammatically correct sentences.
