comma with 'not only X but also' [conjunction]: have not only pitted

rubes1

Senior Member
United States, English
In general, I would only put a comma before but if the sentence following the conjunction were a complete sentence. Here, however, I added a comma, because I felt it was necessary for clarity. What do you think? Is this incorrect? Should I remove the comma?

Thanks.:)

Consequently, confrontations have not only pitted the veteran elite against the new parties and groups, but also set the new groups against themselves.
 
  • I think your comma's fine. You've used it for clarity, as you say, between clauses in a long sentence. Fine. :)
     
    Ok, I have another one for your judgement:

    "This accounts for the scores of attacks not only against... but also against the intellectual strata..."

    I am tempted to stick a comma in before "but"!:)
     
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