When you need to and shouldn’t use a comma after the phrase “lately.”
There are quite a lot of difficult guidelines within the English language, however commas definitely take the cake.
Irrespective of how acquainted you’re with commas, there are some that may actually journey you up.
On this article, we’ll have a look at the phrase “lately” because it relates to commas.
Table of Contents
Do you want a comma after “lately”?
As a result of “lately” is an adverb, we should comply with the comma guidelines for adverbs. When adverbs are used to modify a single phrase, you shouldn’t comply with them with a comma. Nonetheless, if an adverb like “lately” is positioned at the start of a sentence or a clause, a comma is required.
The function of the comma on this case is to present that the phrase modifies your complete clause or your complete sentence, slightly than a single phrase.
As a result of grammar is versatile with regards to adverbs, it’s doable to transfer “lately” from the start of a sentence and keep away from using a comma if desired.
The meaning and a part of speech of “lately”
To grasp the comma guidelines for a phrase, it’s vital to be mindful the phrase’s meaning and its a part of speech.
“Not too long ago” is an adverb, a sort of phrase that modifies a verb, adjective or adverb.
If it seems at the beginning of a clause or a sentence, “lately” is a “sentence adverb” or “introductory adverb,” meaning it modifies your complete linguistic unit slightly than a single phrase.
Regardless of the place it’s positioned, “lately” describes the phrase or clause it modifies in relation to the current time.
If one thing occurred lately, which means not a lot time has handed between the motion and now.
When used to refer to a gaggle of phrases, “lately” may also be used to mean {that a} change has occurred within the latest previous which has had a long-lasting impact.
Not too long ago can seem just about wherever in a sentence.
Nonetheless, if it doesn’t seem on the begin of a clause it’s vital to make positive it follows some other grammar guidelines.
Examples
“I haven’t seen him lately.”
Right here, “lately” reveals that somebody has not been current within the latest previous. The phrase being modified by the adverb right here is the verb “seen.”
“Not too long ago, it’s been more durable for me to discover work.”
The phrase “lately” modifies the remainder of the sentence slightly than a single phrase. Right here the phrase reveals not {that a} single factor occurred as soon as, however slightly that the rest of the sentence is an ongoing situation.
Utilizing commas with lately
Whether or not you’ll need a comma after “lately” relies on its place within the sentence and its operate.
When positioned at the start of a sentence, “lately” will at all times require a comma after it.
Then again, if “lately” modifies a single verb, adjective or adverb, it can solely require a comma after it if there may be another grammatical motive for one.
In different phrases, the phrase “lately” itself doesn’t require a comma after it except it falls at the start of the sentence, however there could also be different causes you want to comply with it with a comma.
Not too long ago at the beginning of a sentence
When “lately” seems at the start of a sentence, it modifies your complete sentence. The identical is true for the start of clauses.
In these instances, lately follows the foundations for introductory phrases or phrases. These guidelines require that you just comply with the introductory phrase with a comma to set it off from the sentence.
Put merely, when “lately” seems at the start of a sentence or the start of a clause you want a comma after it.
This not solely separates it from the remainder of the sentence, it makes clear to the reader that the phrase modifies all the pieces that follows.
Nonetheless, word that overuse of “lately” at the start of a sentence can make your writing seem stilted.
Examples
“Not too long ago, quick meals has not glad me.”
“Not too long ago, crime has been rising.”
In each of those examples, the phrase “lately” is adopted by a comma as a result of it modifies your complete sentence.
Not too long ago to modify a single phrase
Not like at the start of a sentence, when “lately” modifies a single phrase it doesn’t sometimes require a comma after it.
It’s because the phrase wants to be carefully related to the phrase it’s modifying, and separating it with a comma would have the alternative impact.
Nonetheless, word that there are instances the place you might want to add a comma after “lately” for different causes, equivalent to to separate two unbiased clauses from each other when the second begins with a coordinating conjunction like “and” or “however.”
It is necessary to perceive that the comma doesn’t want to comply with “lately” due to the phrase itself in these instances, however due to different grammar guidelines.
Examples
“I lately realized that the moon has an environment.”
Right here, lately modifies the one phrase “realized.” It’s not adopted by a comma.
Shifting “lately” to keep away from a comma
If you need to keep away from having a comma after “lately” when it seems at the beginning of a sentence or clause, you are able to do this by shifting the phrase to the tip of the clause or the tip of the sentence wherein it seems.
Examples
“Crime has been rising lately.”
“Quick meals has not glad me lately.”
Examples from earlier within the article that positioned “lately” at the start of the sentence have right here been rewritten to place the phrase on the finish, as an alternative. Discover {that a} comma is now not after the phrase “lately.”
Once more, although, a comma could possibly be required after “lately” right here for different causes.
For instance, “Quick meals has not glad me lately, so I’ll order a salad.”
Right here, the comma is required as a result of these two unbiased clauses are joined by the coordinating conjunction “so,” and never due to the phrase “lately” itself.
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