When to Use a Comma Before “But”

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When it comes to commas, are you supposed to put one before or after “but”? We know how tricky comma placement can seem, which is why we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll teach you when to use a comma before “but” and when to put one after. With our lessons, tips, and examples, you’ll be placing commas like a pro in no time.

Things You Should Know

  • Use a comma before “but” in a compound sentence to separate 2 independent clauses.
  • Place a comma after “but” if an interrupting phrase or word (such as "of course" or "in fact") follows it.
  • Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction—remember them with the acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Section 1 of 3:

When do you put a comma before “but”?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8f\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence because it includes a subject and verb. [1] Take a look at your sentence, and underline the phrases before and after the “but.” Can these phrases be read as separate complete sentences? If so, use a comma before the “but.”
    • Correct: Jacob saw the movie , but his friend read the book. [2]
    • Incorrect: Jacob saw the movie but his friend read the book.
    • “Jacob saw the movie” and “his friend read the book” make sense by themselves, meaning they are independent clauses.
    • Combining a comma and “but” creates a compound sentence , also known as a sentence with two independent clauses. [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A dependent clause is an incomplete thought as it lacks a subject and/or verb. [4] Break your sentence into two parts: the phrase before the “but” and the phrase after the “but.” If both phrases can’t be sentences on their own, then they are dependent clauses and a comma isn’t needed.
    • Correct: The puppy is small but potty trained.
    • Incorrect: The puppy is small , but potty trained.
    • Although “The puppy is small” could be a separate sentence, “potty trained” is a dependent clause because it doesn’t have a subject.
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

When do you put a comma after “but”?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d1\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    An interrupter is a word or phrase that appears in the middle of an independent clause (such as “of course,” “on the other hand,” “in fact,” and “however.”). This word or phrase could be omitted from the sentence but is used for emphasis. [5] In this case, a comma is used after the “but” and final word in the interrupting phrase to signify that the clause is separate from the rest of the sentence.
    • Correct: But , of course, I wanted to go to the party with Edith.
    • In this example, “of course” is the interrupter, as the sentence can also be read as “But I wanted to go to the party with Edith.”
    • Correct: I want to go to Germany , but , on the other hand, I’d miss you terribly.
    • In this instance, a comma is before and after “but” because the sentence has 2 independent clauses and “on the other hand” is an interrupter.
    • If a sentence doesn’t have an interrupter, don’t put a comma after the “but,” as that would make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Section 3 of 3:

Why do you use a comma before “but”?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-When-to-Use-a-Comma-Before-but-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Coordinating conjunctions are the glue that holds your sentence together. In other words, they’re words that join words, phrases, and clauses into one sentence. [6] These words can be remembered with the acronym FANBOYS, which stands for for , and , nor , but , or , yet , so . A comma is always placed in front of these words in a compound sentence that has 2 independent clauses. [7]
    • F or: She bought an apple , for she wanted a snack. [8]
    • A nd: Nikki lives in Florida , and she goes to Disney World every weekend.
    • N or: Will doesn’t like broccoli , nor does he like eating Brussels sprouts.
    • B ut: The lesson was hard , but we all managed to pass the test.
    • O r: We can order pizza , or we can go out to eat.
    • Y et: The movie has good reviews , yet my friends and I didn’t like the movie.
    • S o: I broke my foot over the weekend , so I can’t take the stairs.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to Abbreviate Years: A Writing Guide
      How to Use i.e. Correctly (With Examples)
      IMY Meaning: Definition, Uses & Ways to Reply (with Examples)
      Is It James' or James's?
      How to
      Change a Verb to a Noun
      What Does "Dodge a Bullet" Mean?
      How to
      Use "Too" and "To" Correctly
      How to
      Use "Etc." Correctly
      What Does S/O Mean in a Relationship and How Do You Use It?
      How to
      Improve Your Grammar
      Looking Forward to Speaking to You: Meaning & Usage
      How to
      Identify an Adjective
      How to Use “Respectively” in Your Writing: A Complete Guide
      How to
      Improve Your Sentence Structure
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://nps.edu/web/gwc/phrases-and-clauses
      2. ↑ https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/modulecs_fs.htm
      3. ↑ https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/sentences.htm#COMPOUND%20SENTENCE
      4. ↑ https://nps.edu/web/gwc/phrases-and-clauses
      5. ↑ https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-center/writing-resources/commas-three-simple-rules.aspx
      6. ↑ https://nps.edu/web/gwc/coordinating-conjunctions
      7. ↑ https://www.shsu.edu/centers/academic-success-center/writing/handouts/loc/punctuation/Commas.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.cuyamaca.edu/student-support/tutoring-center/files/student-resources/coordinating-conjunctions-guide.pdf

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 12,204 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement