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
This got me to thinking. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. This sentence could also be written as: You can’t have your cake and eat it also. Would you say the sentence using “also” is incorrect? Or would the word “also” need to be inserted before the word “eat” for it to truly be proper English?
Thanks! Love your site!
Melissa,
Good observation! In the interest of clarity and understanding, it should be You can’t have your cake and also eat it. That’s still a bit stilted, but it’s not incorrect. Off the top of my head, if you break down the construction of the sentence, your subject is “You” and the verbs are “can have” and “(can) eat” with “not” being the adverb. I think! Anyway, “also” modifies the verb “(can) eat” making it an adverb, too. Also.
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
This post got me to thinking… as writers, we have to determine when it’s wise to apply common usage, and when we should resort to correct usage. Generally, when writing on or for the web, I relax my grammar considerably, but when I’m working on business or technical documents, I adhere to stricter rules. It’s a matter of casual versus formal. Thanks for this post!
Melissa
You sure get me thinking a lot!
Melissa,
Thanks for posting. I agree. I try to use correct usage at all times, but I hope nobody edits my e-mails!
Cheryl
I read your blog regarding Worse vs Worst. I had a question. In the sentence below would I use worst or worse?
The patient is a 77-year-old male with moderate obstructive voiding symptoms with frequency being his worst complaint.
Stephony,
“worst” is correct in your sentence.
Cheryl
I thought so, but the person that edits my work has always used “worse.” Hmmm, thank you. I may ask you more questions later, because I am a new transcriptionist. You have been most helpful.
Drop by anytime, Stephony!
Hi Cheryl -
I am afraid I must disagree with your answer on placing a comma before the adverb “too” when it appears at the end of a sentence. According to The Gregg Reference Manual (my business writing bible): “When the adverb ‘too’ (in the sense of ‘also’) occurs at the end of a clause or a sentence, the comma preceding is omitted. Example: They are after a bigger share of the market too.”
I couldn’t find a reference to this in either the Chicago Manual of Style or The Elements of Style.
What grammar reference book do you consider to be your favorite? I am always on the lookout for more to add to my library.
Cheers!
Is it congratulates honorees or congratulate honorees?
Thank you
Betty,
To answer your question, you need to identify WHO is doing the congratulating. Honorees is the object of your verb. Whether your verb is congratulate or congratulates depends on the subject of your sentence, regardless of whether your object is singular or plural.
Examples:
We congratulate honorees.
Let me congratulate honorees.
I congratulate honorees.
He congratulates honorees.
The head of the department congratulates honorees.
Hope this helps. Thanks for blogging with the Grammar Cop.
Cheryl