CITIZEN’S ARREST: Grammar cop deputy Dena writes:
“… My specific question concerns the use of the word “too.” I was taught, hundreds of years ago, that one inserts a comma before “too.” I rarely see others do that now and realized that this rule, too, must have changed.Would you please lay out a simple way for me to know when to use a comma and when it isn’t necessary, according to today’s rules?”
Dena, you’re correct in expecting to see a comma before the adverb “too.” Setting off single word dependent clauses has fallen out of favor, but it’s still correct usage. For example:
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. This sentence needs a comma after “it” because you’re adding a word that modifies “eat.” Without the comma, the reader is looking for another word for “too” to modify. (You can’t have your cake and eat it too quickly? You can’t have your cake and eat it too often? See what I mean?)
The correct structure is: You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. Likewise, you should have a comma following an introductory clause (even a one-word clause): Additionally, I eat the cake that I’ve obtained. Finally, I’m able to eat all the cake I have.
Hope that helps. Remember, just because you see something in usage doesn’t make it acceptable or correct (Look at the proliferation of “alright” and “reoccur,” neither of which is a word).
Cheryl
