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Mr. Tom Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

Use of a comma after 'often' or 'but'

Hi

Many a time I notice a comma immediately after the first word of a sentence. Generally but, and or often.  

How do you like the use of the comma in these sentences?

He was a wonderful dad. Often, I refused to get out of bed till my father came into my room and carried me…

He assured me he would help. But, some of the members still believed…

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

Here's my brief opinion. Learners should not be starting a sentence with 'and or 'but', or perhaps even 'often', until they feel their grasp of English is very good. It then becomes a matter of stylistic choice, as does the question of whether to use a comma.

— Clive

  • Here's my brief opinion.
  • Learners should not be starting a sentence with 'and or 'but', or perhaps even 'often', until they feel their grasp of English is very good.
  • It then becomes a matter of stylistic choice, as does the question of whether to use a comma.
  • Much depends on the complete sentence, and on its context.
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1 Answers
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Here's my brief opinion.
Learners should not be starting a sentence with 'and or 'but', or perhaps even 'often', until they feel their grasp of English is very good.
It then becomes a matter of stylistic choice, as does the question of whether to use a comma.
Much depends on the complete sentence, and on its context.
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