For a lot of writers, particularly these nonetheless beginning out, the principles governing grammar and punctuation could appear esoteric and unusual.
Additionally, in case you’ve ever had the displeasure of coming throughout a stickler for the principles, you might be all the time left with the impression that these who don’t comply with grammar guidelines to the letter would possibly as properly not strive writing in English in any respect.
Nevertheless, this isn’t correct. If something grammar and punctuation guidelines are there to assist with comprehension and to assist the general meaning of the writing.
Actually, a variety of instances, writers will punctuate their sentences in accordance to what makes the reader’s life simpler.
Typically, a author would possibly place a comma simply to give the reader an opportunity to breathe, even when the principles don’t strictly say {that a} comma must be positioned in that spot.
So, taking into account that punctuation and grammar are all about meaning, let’s strive to reply a easy query.
Ought to we use a comma with “but”?
“But” is a kind of phrases that may play multiple function. When performing as an adverb, then you definately don’t want to use a comma until the sentence construction dictates so. Alternatively, when it’s performing as a conjunction, it can most likely want a comma both before it or after it, relying on the place it reveals up within the sentence.
That’s the quick reply, however you’re not right here for the quick reply, are you?
So, let’s delve deeper collectively.
Understanding the completely different elements of speech shaped by “but”
As talked about earlier, “but” can both be an adverb or a conjunction. Let’s begin with the case of it being an adverb.
”But” the adverb
When “but” is used as an adverb, it could possibly have one in all a number of meanings.
For starters, it may be used to signify the current time, through which case it’s normally used with destructive verbs or interrogatory statements, aka questions.
When used with statements, the notion is that although one thing hasn’t occurred up till the assertion was made, it’s anticipated to occur sooner or later sooner or later.
And, when used with questions, it’s used to wonder if one thing has occurred in the intervening time the query is posed or not, the implication being that it’ll occur ultimately.
He hasn’t known as but.
On this instance, the topic nonetheless hasn’t known as up till the assertion was made. But, the writer expects him to name sooner or later.
Are we there but?
That is most likely one of the crucial well-known questions requested by kids world wide who discover themselves on a protracted journey.
Right here, “but” is used to ask whether or not they have arrived in the intervening time the query is being requested. However, even when they nonetheless haven’t arrived, they’re certain to arrive at their vacation spot sooner or later sooner or later.
One other definition of “but” the adverb is that there’s nonetheless time for one thing to occur.
He has but to name.
Within the above instance, the speaker isn’t certain whether or not the topic of the sentence will name or not. All we, the listeners know, is that he hasn’t known as, however there’s nonetheless time for him to name.
Yet one more definition of “but” the adverb is that one thing is true in comparison to earlier or earlier actions or endeavors. (If this appears obscure, the instance will clear issues up.)
That is her quickest mile but.
On this instance, the writer is saying that in comparison to throughout her different earlier miles, that is the quickest one up to now. Ergo, “but” right here has the identical definition as “up to now.”
It’s price noting that this specific “but” is normally paired with a superlative to allow a comparability with earlier instances.
Right here’s one other instance simply to drive the purpose dwelling.
That is your best work but.
You could possibly actually rewrite the above sentence as follows.
That is your best work up to now.
And, the meaning stays precisely the identical.
There’s one other sense the place “but” is used to speak about earlier instances. On this case, it’s nonetheless used to affirm that one thing has been true since earlier instances, nevertheless it isn’t used with any superlative adjectives.
They traveled to Egypt again throughout the early Nineties, and so they dwell there but.
Within the above instance, “but” is used to tell us that the individuals in query have been residing in Egypt ever since they traveled to it again within the early Nineties.
Apparently, “but” may be mixed with different phrases to type phrases. For instance, you’ve the phrase “yet one more” which implies “as well as” or “once more.”
My crew has misplaced yet one more match.
It is a easy method of claiming the crew has been on a shedding streak and that they’ve once more misplaced one other match.
One other phrase you’ll be able to create with “but” comes about in case you add the phrase “once more.” “But once more” isn’t solely used to point out that one thing has been taking place repeatedly, however it is usually used to present exasperation.
My automotive has damaged down but once more.
The speaker is clearly uninterested in the truth that their automotive retains breaking down on them.
Nevertheless, before we transfer on, there’s one distinctive reality price stating. Of all of the makes use of of “but” as an adverb, solely the phrase “but once more” may be introduced to the entrance of a sentence with out having to change the sentence construction.
But once more, my automotive has damaged down.
In case you needed to do the identical factor with “yet one more,” you’ll have to change all the sentence construction.
Yet one more match has been misplaced by my crew.
To make it work, we had to convert the sentence into the passive construction.
Does “but” the adverb want a comma
As you’ll have seen, the reply is predominantly no. “But” as an adverb suits seamlessly right into a sentence, and there’s no purpose to separate from the remainder of the sentence utilizing a comma.
The one exception is “but once more,” particularly once we determine to convey it originally of a sentence. On this case, it behaves like some other adverbial phrase that you simply put on the head of a sentence and desires a comma after it to separate from the principle clause.
But once more, you fail to understand while you’re beat.
In any other case, the one purpose to comply with “but” with a comma is that if the sentence construction itself dictates it.
That is the best reply but, however it’s nonetheless incomplete.
On this instance, the comma following “but” is there as a result of it precedes the coordinating conjunction “however” and separates the 2 impartial clauses.
”But” as a conjunction
There are a number of varieties of conjunctions.
“But” falls into the class of coordinating conjunction, making it one of many “FANBOYS.”
In case you don’t know what the “FANBOYS” are, these are the seven most important coordinating conjunctions, that are “for,” “and,” “nor,” “however,” “or,” “but,” and “so.”
The phrase “FANBOYS” is nothing greater than a intelligent mnemonic system used to bear in mind these conjunctions.
So, what can “but” tie collectively?
Effectively, a number of issues actually. “But” is used to present distinction, in order lengthy the 2 issues being tied collectively differ in some vital method, you’ll be able to most likely use “but.”
It may tie two adjectives collectively.
Sarah is wise but lazy.
Right here, “but” performs the identical actual function performed by “however,” making them interchangeable.
He was so close to but up to now.
Despite the fact that “but” right here additionally performs the function of exhibiting distinction, you’ll be able to’t actually substitute it with “however” as a result of it could simply sound bizarre.
“So close to but up to now” is a well known expression, and it could grate towards the listener’s ears in case you have been to use “so close to however up to now” as an alternative.
“But” may also tie two phrases collectively.
They have been working rapidly but failing to catch up.
On this instance, “but” ties two participial phrases collectively.
You possibly can even use “but” to tie two verbs.
He awoke on time but missed the bus.
And, after all, you need to use it to tie two impartial clauses collectively.
Martha labored for a big company for almost all of her profession, but she solely discovered happiness when she began her personal enterprise.
On this instance, you’ve two full sentences, every of which might stand by itself. But, you’ll be able to all the time create a compound sentence with the assistance of “but.”
Lastly, “but” can come originally of a sentence. Though it could not tie two impartial clauses on this final case, it nonetheless reveals the connection between the previous sentence and the succeeding one.
He skilled for a number of years. But, he was outmatched by the competitors.
Does “but” the conjunction want a comma?
In all of the above use circumstances, “but” wants a comma in solely two circumstances. The primary one is when it’s tethering two impartial clauses collectively. On this situation, the comma comes before “but.”
The e book appeared so thick, but after I learn it, I spotted that it was full of fluff.
And, the opposite case is when it comes originally of a sentence, through which case the comma comes after “but.”
Michael ran monitor and discipline when he was in highschool. But, he grew up to be an unathletic particular person.
Apart from these two circumstances, “but” doesn’t want a comma.
Your methodology was right but your assumptions have been mistaken.
The fox appeared harmless but turned out to be fairly crafty.
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