English Language & Usage Asked by baaaaaaased on February 2, 2021
Why is it that when we use “though” at the end of a sentence, a comma is needed? For example, take the sentence “Good punctuation helps, though.” Why is it incorrect to say “Good punctuation helps though”? I’ve been told the former is correct and, intuitively, it feels correct, but can anyone elaborate on the reasoning behind this? Thanks!
It's when though starts a new clause, which could be written as a separate sentence.
Example: I went to the shops with sue. I didn't really want to.
It could be written as:
I went to the shops with sue, though I didn't really want to.
As the writer says, When speaking you would naturally pause where the comma is.
Though is used as an adverb in this case, applied to the verb is, therefore no comma is strictly necessary. Saying this, I can easily imagine a brief pauses between is and though when speaking the sentence, hence a vocative comma is acceptable. In other words, take your pick. If I can avoid a comma (as in this case), I usually will. It's not wrong either way though.
Answered by Syed Wasif Ali on February 2, 2021
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