Can/should "thus" have bracketed commas in a sentence like this?
He was tall and, thus, unlikely to be related to me or my short brothers.
He was tall and, thus, unlikely to be related to me or my short brothers.
comma before and after 'thus' [adverb]: was tall and, thus, unlikely
- Thread starter saladfiend
- Start date
The sentence doesn't need any commas, but if you were to put in a comma, it should be before "and", not after. And I think they're bracketing, not bracketed, commas.
Shouldn't there not be a comma before "and" since it is not a compound sentence?
Welcome to the forum!
There could be a comma there (it wouldn't be incorrect), but it's not necessary when the first part of the sentence is so short.
Thanks for your responses. Would it make a difference if the word were "therefore" rather than "thus"?
Are you sure this isn't just a matter of personal preference? I'm finding conflicting grammar rules everywhere and it's really confusing me.
Here is an example:
"Fifth, use commas to set off words and phrases such as however, meanwhile, in fact, in addition, moreover, nevertheless, as a result, thus, therefore, for example, finally and in other words. Usually, place a comma after such expressions when they begin a sentence, and place commas before and after the expressions when they are within a sentence."
http://essayinfo.com/sguides/comma.php
Here is an example:
"Fifth, use commas to set off words and phrases such as however, meanwhile, in fact, in addition, moreover, nevertheless, as a result, thus, therefore, for example, finally and in other words. Usually, place a comma after such expressions when they begin a sentence, and place commas before and after the expressions when they are within a sentence."
http://essayinfo.com/sguides/comma.php
There are many guides to punctuation.
Some of them are listed in the sticky thread at the top of this forum (see below).
They generally allow for some element of judgement on the part of the writer. The University of Sussex guide includes this comment:
Punctuation
UK English, University of Sussex:
http://www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/...on/node00.html
US English, Capital Community College Foundation:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/marks.htm
US English, the Owl at Purdue University:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/
US Government Printing Office:
Start at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/ and search for punctuation.
The most feared punctuation on earth, by The Oatmeal:
How to use a semi-colon.
Some of them are listed in the sticky thread at the top of this forum (see below).
They generally allow for some element of judgement on the part of the writer. The University of Sussex guide includes this comment:
In many cases a weak interruption does not absolutely require bracketing commas.
Punctuation
UK English, University of Sussex:
http://www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/...on/node00.html
US English, Capital Community College Foundation:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/marks.htm
US English, the Owl at Purdue University:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/566/01/
US Government Printing Office:
Start at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/stylemanual/ and search for punctuation.
The most feared punctuation on earth, by The Oatmeal:
How to use a semi-colon.
Thanks for posting links to those guides!
I don't believe a comma is appropriate.
Others would say it is required.
Comma with the introductory word hence, thus, then, or still
Thus + comma
Others would say it is required.
Comma with the introductory word hence, thus, then, or still
Thus + comma
It IS mainly a matter of preference. Pay no attention to such complex and unnecessary rules.