Lesson 6 Commas with Transition Signals

Essential Question

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How are commas like road signs?

Grammar in the World

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Like road signs alert drivers to speed limits, sharp turns, or potential hazards, the essential job of a comma in a sentence is to alert readers to slow down and pay attention.

Commas indicate where we should take a short pause. They keep ideas from running together, and they signal when something important is coming up ahead, such as a transition to a different train of thought.

What Do I Know?

Let's see what you already know about transition signals with a short quiz.

Building Blocks

Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:

Learn About Commas with Transition Signals

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Like an intersection between two roads or a bridge that crosses a divide, transitions are the connections in a sentence. They join ideas together by showing what kind of relationship they have, and commas are the signposts that tell us a transition is about to happen and slow us down so we don’t miss the turn.

We use commas to signify a transition signal that functions on its own, apart from the rest of the sentence.

To help determine where to place commas with transition signals, follow three steps:

1. Make sure you can recognize a transition signal when you see one.

10 Types of Relationships that Transition Signals Introduce
addition	again, also, furthermore, in addition, moreover, still, too, plus
comparison	in the same way, likewise, similarly
contrast	yet, at the same time, but, despite that, even so, however, in contrast, instead, nevertheless, notwithstanding, on the contrary, on the other hand, otherwise, regardless, still, though
concession	granted, naturally, of course, admittedly
consequence	accordingly, as a result, for this reason, thus, therefore
emphasis	certainly, above all, indeed, in fact, of course, naturally
example or illustration	for example, for instance, namely, in particular, in other words
time sequence	first (second, third, etc.), earlier, afterward, eventually, meanwhile, finally, at last, next, now, presently, subsequently, soon, thereafter, until now, at that time, before that, after that, currently, by noon (or any specific time)
space	below, above, in the distance, off to one side, to the right/to the left, around back, over there
summary	in conclusion, all in all, altogether, on the whole, to sum up, in summary, in short, overall, in general

2. Identify where the transition signal happens in the sentence.

Transitions may appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of an independent clause.
Beginning: An introductory expression	*Above*, you saw examples of different kinds of transitions. *For instance*, you learned about transitions signaling that the writer is about to offer an example or illustration of a concept. *As a result*, you’re now ready to use transitions in a variety of writing situations.
Middle: An interrupting expression	It’s sometimes difficult, *of course*, to understand complex grammar rules. The intent and style of individual writers, *for example*, may create exceptions to even the most steadfast rule. The key to understanding when to use commas, *in short*, depends on where you want your readers to slow down and pay attention.
End: A summary or expression of emphasis.	Transitions are actually pretty easy to identify, *most of the time. A transition word or phrase that’s all by itself and not part of a longer phrase or clause needs a comma,* *naturally. You’ll be right most of the time if you can remember that rule,* *in fact*.

3. Place a comma after and/or before a transition signal to set it apart from the rest of the sentence.

A comma separates the transition signal from the rest of the sentence.
At the beginning of a sentence, place a comma after the transition signal.	Above, you saw examples of different kinds of transitions. For instance, you learned about transitions signaling that the writer is about to offer an example or illustration of a concept. As a result, you’re now ready to use transitions in a variety of writing situations.
At the end of a sentence, place a comma before the transition signal.	Transitions are actually pretty easy to identify, most of the time. A transition word or phrase that’s all by itself and not part of a longer phrase or clause needs a comma, naturally. You’ll be right most of the time if you can remember that rule, in fact.
In the middle of a sentence, place a comma both before and after the transition signal.	It’s sometimes difficult, of course, to understand complex grammar rules. The intent and style of individual writers, for example, may create exceptions to even the most steadfast rules. The key to understanding when to use commas, in short, depends on where you want your readers to slow down and pay attention.

A Special Note: Subordinating conjunctions and Nonrestrictive Elements

Sometimes, the same word or phrase can function as a transition signal and as a subordinating conjunction, which requires different punctuation.

Here’s how to tell the difference:

Test it: Does the word or expression join two independent clauses?

If so, it’s a subordinating conjunction, and it needs a semicolon and comma to join the two complete sentences.

Commas alone cannot join two independent clauses that each could stand alone as a complete sentence:

I enjoy learning about commas, however, it’s easy to get confused.

Instead, a subordinating conjunction needs a semicolon and a comma:

I enjoy learning about commas; however, it’s easy to get confused.

Two commas should surround a transition signal that interrupts only one independent clause:

Learning about commas, however, can be confusing.

Test it: Does removing the word or expression from the sentence change the meaning of the sentence or alter its basic grammar structure?

A nonrestrictive element is part of a sentence that can be omitted without changing the meaning or confusing the grammatical structure of the sentence. If you can take it out and the sentence still makes sense, then it’s a transition signal, and it needs to be set apart from the rest of the sentence with commas.

Learning about commas however can be confusing.

Does it need comma(s)?

Try removing the transition signal. If the sentence makes sense without the transition signal included, it needs commas to set it apart.

Learning about commas can be confusing.

Still makes sense! That means you need to set it apart with commas:

Learning about commas, however, can be confusing.

The key to understanding when to use commas in short depends on where you want your readers to slow down and pay attention.

Does it need comma(s)?

Try removing the transition signal. If the sentence makes sense without the transition signal included, it needs commas to set it apart.

The key to understanding when to use commas depends on where you want your readers to slow down and pay attention.

Still makes sense! That means you need to set it apart with commas:

The key to understanding when to use commas, in short, depends on where you want your readers to slow down and pay attention.

Do I Get It?

Now, let's see how well you can recognize transition signals and when to use commas to set them apart!