Commas

Question

should a comma be place before ,but,or after

Sbolton · Accepted Answer

Usually the comma would come before "but," however this is not always the case so you must remember to check your punctuation to make sure it is right given the context of the sentence.

Bepleased · Answer

Hi,

They connect the two things.

If the two things speak for themselves, the comma is not with but / after / despite.

If the two things come out of the mouth of the speaker not for themselves, the comma must be with but / after / is spite ofFor example:

The situation looked desperate, but they didn't give up hope. (The sound of their atitude not come out of the mouth of themselves.)

The situation looked desperate but we didn't give up hope. (The sound comes from themselves.)

= We didn't give up hope against the situation looked desperate.

I went out in spite of the rain. (I went out against the rain.)

In spite of the rain, he went out.

They own not one but three houses! (but shows rather ---that serves [not one] to give a forther answer.)

After all my care in packing it, the clock arrived broken.

After all my care in packing it the clock arrived broken. (The clock has a motive to break itself in my care in packing it. The clock break itself not with my care in packing it.)

We were coming to see you, but it rained. (the two things are independent)

We had no alternative but to dimiss her. (= We had no alternatiove of but to dimiss her.)

There is no doubt / question but that he's guilty. (= ...no doubt of but that he's guilty.)

There was not a man but tears in his eyes. (= ....not a man of but tears in his eyes.)

There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of ***, save it be (= but) through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah. (the two things are independent)

I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls. (= I have none other object of but the everlasting welfare of your souls.)

Commas

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