How is it I just learned about conjunctive adverbs

May 17, 2013 7:51 AM

Looking to confirm that the following and variations are grammatically correct and the grammatical reasoning why: He put the spoon on the mat, then put the fork to the side.

Asking because I am figuring out conjunctive adverbs, and I teach comp, and hate myself for not knowing this well in light of the fact that I torture my students with grammar issues.

He put the spoon on the mat, then put the fork to the side: A comma goes after mat, because the following is a dependent clause, right? Is the comma mandatory?

He put the spoon on the mat, then he put the fork to the side. Here, the comma and then are used to join two independent clauses. Then is functioning as a conjunctive adverb there, right?

THANK YOU GRAMMARIANS I LOVE YOU ALL

posted by angrycat to Writing & Language (7 answers total)

In the first example, it is a dependent clause, but I don't think the comma is absolutely necessary. Commas can be used in place of conjunctions, but in that sentence, they don't add clarity, or more accurately, reduce clarity when removed.

Commas are like, 50% art and 50% science anyway.

In the second example, they are independent clauses and I think that's a conjunctive adverb? I teach English too and am not sure. I guess I fail at life for that one.
posted by guster4lovers at 7:56 AM on May 17, 2013

I think the comma is there because "then" suggests a time delay, however slight.
The conjunction "and" would substitute nicely and not require a comma.
I would also avoid repeating the verb "put":

He put the spoon on the mat and the fork to the side.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:09 AM on May 17, 2013 [1 favorite]

Yeah, whether a comma goes in a certain place or not isn't a grammar rule, it's a style rule, but style rules are often dependent on grammar rules.
posted by ultraviolet catastrophe at 8:30 AM on May 17, 2013

In the first example, "then put the fork to the side" is part of a compound predicate, not a main clause, Normally, you would not use a comma to separate the two verbs in a compound predicate, but in this case, it might help clarify the sequence of actions. Just to make your life more complicated though, many editors don't approve of using "then" as a conjunction instead of an adverb and would consider this example a comma splice. So they would correct the sentence to read "and then put the fork . . ."' In this case, the "and" is a coordinating conjunction, and you would not use a comma.

The second sentence would technically require a semicolon or period because conjunctive adverbs join two main clauses. But again, since "then" here is acting more as a coordinating conjunction rather than an adverb, you could use a comma, but you would also risk the wrath of said editors/grammarians.

This is my understanding anyway. Giving grammar advice on the Internet is a dangerous game.
posted by bibliowench at 8:35 AM on May 17, 2013 [1 favorite]

Is the fork meant to go to the side of the mat or the side of the spoon?
posted by nicebookrack at 8:45 AM on May 17, 2013

Drop the and. He put the spoon on the mat with the fork to the side. If you want to be content specific, you could try "He put the spoon on the mat with the fork to the left."
posted by Wynkoop at 3:55 AM on May 18, 2013

Response by poster: Ah, thanks guys. Grammar, fuck, eh?
posted by angrycat at 5:11 AM on May 18, 2013