I seem to remember being taught to use a comma after introductory phrases, such as in Tomorrow, I will go to the store. However, a friend of mine says a comma is not needed here. Is the comma correct, incorrect, or optional?  Would it make a difference if the introductory phrase were longer? After breakfast tomorrow, I will go to the store.  Thanks!
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I am no native speaker and always confused about the comma in introductory phrases, in particular in prepositional phrases. Is there any hard rule when a comma must be set? If I make a google search for certain phrases, I often find both variants. Typical examples where I am not sure whether a comma must be set are:        First[ly][,] I must phone mother   In this case[,] we must...   For simple problems[,] the algorithm...   From Lemma 1.2[,] we obtain...   For a typical user[,] the algorithm...   In our theory[,] we...   A dark line on the horizon[,] the mountain range we were headed for seemed somehow not as threatening as when we had started out on the trip.   Avidly reading her novel[,] Jane did not notice that her stop was approaching.   To be sure[,] it is not easy to see a solution.   When you get to Rome[,] give me a ring.
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I wimped out in answering , dropping the commas and going to parentheses in this sentence, because I was not sure of the placement/correctness of commas in this construction. Now I'd like to get clear on how to use commas in this sentence (without reformulating it...no moving "poems", for example), and why. I'm not even sure that conjunction reduction is what causes the awkwardness here...  Wimp version:     I like Lord Byron's (and also enjoy a number of Percy Shelley's) poems.   Now I'm asking, if you use the comma, do you use both commas? It looks mighty strange with "poems" out there by itself:     I like Lord Byron's, and also enjoy a number of Percy Shelley's, poems.   ...Or is the comma even required? I don't like this, but is it correct?     I like Lord Byron's and also enjoy a number of Percy Shelley's poems.
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For example. If I want to quote a passage from a writing, that says     The cake is not a lie.   and my sentence is:     The book by author states that "The cake is not a lie." however studies show that the cake is a lie.   Is it OK to replace the period with a comma to make the sentence flow?  Relevant: Also what do you do with the capital "T" Are you allowed to lowercase it?     The book by author states "the cake is not a lie," however studies show that the cake is a lie.   I usually just work around this by switching up the structure of the sentence, but sometimes I really want to phrase something a particular way.
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states:     If a dependent clause, or an introductory phrase requiring to be set off by a comma, precedes the second independent clause, no comma is needed after the conjunction.   Strunk's example illustrates the point:     The situation is perilous, but if we are prepared to act promptly, there is still one chance of escape.   However, I would be tempted to put a comma after the "but," like this:     The situation is perilous, but, if we are prepared to act promptly, there is still one chance of escape.   So, I know you're thinking, "Well, Strunk's Rules of Usage says that you're wrong. No comma."   But is Rules of Usage really the best source? I'd like to see this rule in a more contemporary and authoritative source, like the Chicago Manual of Style.  There are many instances —  — where the comma is included before a parenthetical comment that comes after a coordinating conjunction.  Any authoritative source on the issue?
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Is a comma required after the date (year only or day of week only) that is in a prepositional phrase before the subject of the sentence?  For example:      In 1966 I began college.
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There is a recommendation to put a comma after an if-clause which is placed at the beginning of a sentence. For example:     If there was the time when songs like this were not needed, I would not live to see it.   But here is the sentence:     If you had married this girl you would have been wretched.   Why does it go with no comma?
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Is it correct to use commas around therefore in the following quote?     An important prerequisite to meet the requirements of ... is, therefore, the ability to ...   Or should I omit the first comma to make the sentence correct?     An important prerequisite to meet the requirements of ... is therefore, the ability to ...
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If I have a sentence that starts with additionally, finally, consequently, etc. do I always have to put a comma after it? Or is there a different rule?
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I was taught that I should use " at the start of a quote and if it carries on in subsequent paragraphs, I should put ' at the end of the first paragraph, then start the second paragraph with ' and close again with ' and so on, until the final paragraph which I close with ' ".  I cannot see any reference to this style.
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I have the following sentence:     If T had still been alive, there is the great possibility that either T or C ...   My teacher says that the word "then" must appear after the comma, but I think that it's implied and unnecessary. Who is right?
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I am having trouble figuring out when to use commas to set off &quot;nonessential&quot; information.  Sometimes it's obvious:  Bob, who is thirty years old, is an alcoholic.  But other times I'm not sure:  The day he quits drinking * he will start a llama farm He has his heart set on owning El Duderino ranch * in New Mexico.  In the first case, my ear says that there should be a comma at *, even though information before it seems essential to me.  In the second case, the stuff after * is not essential, and yet it seems a little much to use a comma. Even that last sentence I wrote confuses me.  &quot;In the second case&quot; seems essential but I used a comma.  Is this correct? Does it depend on personal style and the length of the clause?  Or perhaps I'm misinterpreting the meaning of &quot;essential&quot; in this context?
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Here, Cambridge doesn't use a comma.  I am confused. Example in Cambridge Dictionary: Unfortunately we can't come this evening after all.    On different pages i found some rules telling there needs to be a comma. Examples follow:  We do usually put a comma after adverbs like 'unfortunately'. They are called 'sentence adverbs' because they modify the whole sentence and often give the opinion of the speaker/writer.  A parenthetical phrase adding detail to the main clause. Initially placed parentheticals are normally set off by a comma.  Cause I'm studying for my Level 2 graduation, i want going crazy reading here and there comma rules followed by looking in the Cambridge Dictionary without finding them there.   HELP me out please !
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When do you use commas and when do you use parentheses to provide more detail about something?  For example:   The suspect, Tom Wilson, is now being charged with murder. The suspect (Tom Wilson) is now being charged with murder. John Smith, a member of the jury, agreed with the verdict. John Smith (a member of the jury) agreed with the verdict. The first example, the one about the fox, is the more valid one. The first example (the one about the fox) is the more valid one.   I realize that the first example, the one that uses parentheses, is probably more valid in this case (if anyone has a better example, please include it), but when, if ever, would you favor parentheses?  Update: I realize that dashes are sometimes used for similar situations, so I'd appreciate information on these as well.  For example:   The children—who are wearing shoes—will go on the trip The children, who are wearing shoes, will go on the trip The children (who are wearing shoes) will go on the trip
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Example:   (1) Hello John. (2) Hello, John?   (3) How are you today John? (4) How are you today, John?   (5) I wish I could John. (6) I wish I could, John.   Must there always be a comma before someone's name?
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This is a bit of a strange question because I know that there should never ever be a comma after 'and.' But what if there's a parenthetical statement/clause-thing right after it? Let me demonstrate.      She spread her arms, tilted her head back, and, closing her eyes, let the sun warm her face.    Should it be:      She spread her arms, tilted her head back, and closing her eyes, let the sun warm her face.    I feel like the ,and, looks really bulky, but I also feel it's necessary to separate the statement between the commas. Help?
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There are many 'rules' on the net saying that a comma should be placed before the relative pronoun 'which' in a non-restrictive clause. ()  But would the sentence have the same meaning without the comma before the relative pronoun?  Does omitting a comma before a relative pronoun change a nonrestrictive clause into a restrictive clause?  For example:  'We ate the pizza, which was nice.'  'We ate the pizza which was nice.'  If so does the same apply to relative pronouns other than 'which'?
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In the sentence     What’s funny is Cat’s dry humour.   Wouldn’t it be better to put a comma after “funny”:     What’s funny, is Cat’s dry humour.   This question entails a (at the time of writing) heated discussion in the .