The word “so” is one of the most versatile words in the English language. It can be used as an adverb, adjective, conjunction, and pronoun. With all of these uses, it’s no wonder that people are confused about whether to use a comma before “so.”
The short answer is that it depends on how you’re using “so” in your sentence. In this article, we’ll cover the different ways you can use “so” and when to use a comma before it.
When to Use a Comma Before “So”
The main time you should use a comma before “so” is when it’s being used as a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect two independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a sentence.
Here’s an example:
- I was feeling hungry, so I made myself a sandwich.
In this sentence, “so” is connecting the two independent clauses “I was feeling hungry” and “I made myself a sandwich.” Because “so” is being used as a coordinating conjunction, we need to use a comma before it.
Examples of Using a Comma Before “So”
Here are some more examples of sentences where you should use a comma before “so”:
- She didn’t study for the test, so she didn’t do very well.
- He forgot his umbrella, so he got wet in the rain.
- The store was closed, so we went to a different one.
In each of these sentences, “so” is being used as a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses.
Exceptions to the Rule
As with most rules in the English language, there are some exceptions. One exception to this rule is when the two independent clauses are very short. In this case, you can choose to omit the comma.
Here’s an example:
- I was tired so I went to bed.
In this sentence, both independent clauses are very short, so it’s acceptable to omit the comma before “so.” However, it’s still correct to include the comma, so it’s really a matter of personal preference.
When NOT to Use a Comma Before “So”
There are also times when you shouldn’t use a comma before “so.” One of these times is when “so” is being used as an adverb. An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.
Here’s an example:
- She was so tired that she fell asleep on the couch.
In this sentence, “so” is modifying the adjective “tired.” Because “so” is being used as an adverb, we don’t need to use a comma before it.
Examples of NOT Using a Comma Before “So”
Here are some more examples of sentences where you shouldn’t use a comma before “so”:
- He was so hungry that he ate an entire pizza.
- The movie was so boring that I fell asleep.
- She was so excited to see her friend that she ran to meet her.
In each of these sentences, “so” is being used as an adverb, so we don’t need to use a comma before it.
Other Uses of “So”
“So” can also be used as a pronoun or an adjective. In these cases, we also don’t need to use a comma before it.
Here are some examples:
- I think so.
- She’s not so sure about that.
- He’s not as tall as he thinks he is, but he’s still taller than me, so.
In each of these sentences, “so” is being used as a pronoun or an adjective, so we don’t need to use a comma before it.
When to Use a Comma After “So”
There are also times when you should use a comma after “so.” One of these times is when “so” is being used as an introductory word or phrase. An introductory word or phrase is a word or group of words that comes at the beginning of a sentence and is followed by a comma.
Here’s an example:
- So, what do you want to do today?
In this sentence, “so” is being used as an introductory word, so we need to use a comma after it.
Examples of Using a Comma After “So”
Here are some more examples of sentences where you should use a comma after “so”:
- So, how was your day?
- So, what did you think of the movie?
- So, what are your plans for the weekend?
In each of these sentences, “so” is being used as an introductory word, so we need to use a comma after it.
Other Uses of “So”
“So” can also be used as a subordinating conjunction. A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but can’t stand alone as a sentence.
Here’s an example:
- She was so tired that she fell asleep on the couch.
In this sentence, “so” is being used as a subordinating conjunction to connect the dependent clause “that she fell asleep on the couch” to the independent clause “she was so tired.” Because “so” is being used as a subordinating conjunction, we don’t need to use a comma after it.
Conclusion
The rules for using a comma before “so” can be a bit confusing, but hopefully, this article has helped to clear things up.
Remember, the main time you should use a comma before “so” is when it’s being used as a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses. Otherwise, you generally don’t need to use a comma before “so.”