Comma rule 2 is about transitions between sentences. Sometimes at the beginning of a sentence we put in a word or two to connect it to the previous sentence. After the 'transition,' we add a comma.
1. Add More--'And'
In general, we do not start sentences with the word 'and.' The word 'and' is considered too informal to start a sentence in writing. Two better choices are 'also' or 'in addition.' We use these transitions to give the reader more information that is similar to what we just wrote in the earlier sentence.
Example: She is a single mother and has two jobs. (You're thinking, "Wow! She has it hard!" But there's more!) Also, her 4 year old son has autism. (I told you one more thing that shows how hard her life is. After the first sentence, you probably didn't expect she'd have even more challenges.)
Example: He makes 5 million dollars a year and has 3 houses. (Wow! He's really rich, right? You'd be surprised to learn ...) In addition, his wife makes 2 million dollars a year as a corporate lawyer. (This new information adds dramatically to your understanding of how rich he is.)
Notice the transition comes at the beginning of a sentence, but not the first sentence. It comes after another sentence ends.
Use Also or In addition with a comma to show more of what is said in the first sentence.
She is the most popular girl in high school and gets good grades. Also, ______________________________________
(Also, all the boys want to go out with her.)
(Also, she volunteers at an elementary school.)
(Also, she works part-time in a clothing store.)
(Also, she makes the dinners for her family every night.)
(Also, she's the best soccer player on her team.)
(Also, she sings beautifully.)
You see, we are impressed with the first sentence, and the writer knows that. The writer is going to prepare you for even more by starting with 'Also,' or 'In addition.'
Try this one.
Ben doesn't pay attention in class and gets bad grades. In addition, _______________________________________
Hint: what else do a bad student do?
Try another.
Silvia cooks for her children and helps them with their homework every day. Also, ____________________________
Hint: What else does a loving mother do for her kids?
2. Contrast--'But'
The word 'but' is fine in the middle of sentences. When you speak, you can use 'but' at the beginning. When you write, you should use a word like 'However.' It means the same thing. What does the word 'but' do? It shows a contrast: a positive to a negative, or a negative to a positive. It's the same with however.
He's very rich. (that's good) However, he isn't happy. (that's bad)
She's beautiful. (that's good) However, she is lonely. (that's bad)
He misses his family in El Salvador. (that's bad) However, he skypes with them twice a week. (that's good)
She gets confused in English class. (that's bad) However, she comes to class every day and studies at home. (that's good)
We also use the words 'but' and 'however' when things are different than we expect.
It's very hot out today. However, he's wearing a jacket.
The house is very expensive. However, it's ugly.
He's very intelligent. However, he didn't finish high school.
Try these.
He has a bad cold. However, _____________________________________________________
She's very heavy. However, ______________________________________________________
He loves dogs. However, ________________________________________________________
1. Add More--'And'
In general, we do not start sentences with the word 'and.' The word 'and' is considered too informal to start a sentence in writing. Two better choices are 'also' or 'in addition.' We use these transitions to give the reader more information that is similar to what we just wrote in the earlier sentence.
Example: She is a single mother and has two jobs. (You're thinking, "Wow! She has it hard!" But there's more!) Also, her 4 year old son has autism. (I told you one more thing that shows how hard her life is. After the first sentence, you probably didn't expect she'd have even more challenges.)
Example: He makes 5 million dollars a year and has 3 houses. (Wow! He's really rich, right? You'd be surprised to learn ...) In addition, his wife makes 2 million dollars a year as a corporate lawyer. (This new information adds dramatically to your understanding of how rich he is.)
Notice the transition comes at the beginning of a sentence, but not the first sentence. It comes after another sentence ends.
Use Also or In addition with a comma to show more of what is said in the first sentence.
She is the most popular girl in high school and gets good grades. Also, ______________________________________
(Also, all the boys want to go out with her.)
(Also, she volunteers at an elementary school.)
(Also, she works part-time in a clothing store.)
(Also, she makes the dinners for her family every night.)
(Also, she's the best soccer player on her team.)
(Also, she sings beautifully.)
You see, we are impressed with the first sentence, and the writer knows that. The writer is going to prepare you for even more by starting with 'Also,' or 'In addition.'
Try this one.
Ben doesn't pay attention in class and gets bad grades. In addition, _______________________________________
Hint: what else do a bad student do?
Try another.
Silvia cooks for her children and helps them with their homework every day. Also, ____________________________
Hint: What else does a loving mother do for her kids?
2. Contrast--'But'
The word 'but' is fine in the middle of sentences. When you speak, you can use 'but' at the beginning. When you write, you should use a word like 'However.' It means the same thing. What does the word 'but' do? It shows a contrast: a positive to a negative, or a negative to a positive. It's the same with however.
He's very rich. (that's good) However, he isn't happy. (that's bad)
She's beautiful. (that's good) However, she is lonely. (that's bad)
He misses his family in El Salvador. (that's bad) However, he skypes with them twice a week. (that's good)
She gets confused in English class. (that's bad) However, she comes to class every day and studies at home. (that's good)
We also use the words 'but' and 'however' when things are different than we expect.
It's very hot out today. However, he's wearing a jacket.
The house is very expensive. However, it's ugly.
He's very intelligent. However, he didn't finish high school.
Try these.
He has a bad cold. However, _____________________________________________________
She's very heavy. However, ______________________________________________________
He loves dogs. However, ________________________________________________________