Unit Two, Lesson Four
The Appendage Comma with
Linking Adverbs
Among its six uses, the appendage comma inserts a pause between a linking adverb and the main thought of a sentence.
Linking adverbs and adverbial phrases connect independent clauses, including sentences. Common linking adverbs include:
additionally
- as a consequence
- anyway
- as a result
- besides
- consequently
- furthermore
- however
- in addition
- indeed
- in contrast
in fact
- in the same way
- moreover
- nevertheless
- on the other hand
- otherwise
- rather
- similarly
- that is
- therefore
- thus
additionally
- as a consequence
- anyway
- as a result
- besides
- consequently
- furthermore
- however
- in addition
- indeed
- in contrast
in fact
- in the same way
- moreover
- nevertheless
- on the other hand
- otherwise
- rather
- similarly
- that is
- therefore
- thus
Use an appendage comma with these when they occur at the start or end of a sentence. And use a comma pair around ones that appear in the midst of a sentence:
When the conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so begins a sentence as a transition from the previous sentence, it does not use an appendage comma the way a linking adverb would:
Expanded
Insights
Linking Adverb or Coordinating Conjunction—What’s the Difference?
Expanded Insights
Linking Adverb or Coordinating Conjunction—What’s the Difference?
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Because of their single-syllable size, coordinating conjunctions naturally flow quickly into the main thought of a sentence. This is why we don’t use the appendage comma with them—the comma signals a paused separation that clashes with the quick conjunction.
This offers writers two ways of transitioning. On the one hand, you could use a linking adverb with an appendage comma to create a pause in reading that emphasizes the transition. Or use a coordinating conjunction to move swiftly into the sentence.
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