Jordan B.

asked • 11/23/21

Is a comma required after "night"?

"I also moved my bedtime of 1 AM back 15 minutes to help better prepare for bed each night, and although it seems like a small change, it actually helped significantly."


Is a comma required between "night" and "and"? Why or why not?

Nathan Z.

Yes, a comma is required before "and." In this sentence, you're using "and" as a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses (separate sentences). A complete sentence (an independent clause) requires a subject, verb, and complete thought. If you connect two sentences with a comma, you'll get a comma splice, also known as a run-on sentence. In your sentence, you could separate your two independent clauses into their own sentences: 1.) I also moved my bedtime of 1 AM back 15 minutes to help better prepare for bed each night. -Subject: I -Verb: moved -Complete thought: I moved my bedtime 2.) Although it seems like a small change, it actually helped significantly. -Subject: it -Verb: seems -Complete thought: Although it seems small, it helped But instead of separating these clauses into two separate sentences, you combined these ideas into one sentence by using the coordinating conjunction "and." And you should always place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) that connects two independent clauses. Side Note: Words like "although" and "however" are subordinating conjunctions -- they are not strong enough to connect two independent clauses. Sometimes people mistake these words as coordinating conjunctions and create run-on sentences. For instance, I would create a comma splice (run-on sentence) if I used "although" to connect two separate sentences: Incorrect: I went shopping, although I didn't buy anything. Correct: I went shopping. Although, I didn't buy anything. Also correct: I went shopping; although, I didn't buy anything. So, if you see "although" or "however" in the middle of a sentence, it may indicate another independent clause, which means you may need to use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction to connect those two independent clauses.
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11/28/21

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Sarene A. answered • 11/23/21

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Yes! You do need a comma after "night."


I also moved my bedtime of 1 AM back 15 minutes to help better prepare for bed each night, and although it seems like a small change, it actually helped significantly."


The underlined portion is an independent clause; anytime an independent clause comes after a conjunction (like "and") there is a comma before.

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