\nIdentifying when “not to mention” is used as an idiom<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe first thing to keep in mind when deciding whether you need commas with “not to<\/p>\n
As the negative form of an infinitive, “not to mention” means what it literally appears to mean: that a thing should not be said.<\/p>\n
Here are examples of “not to mention” when it is simply acting as a regular negative infinitive in a sentence. In these cases, no commas would be used:<\/p>\n
They told me not to mention the bad news.<\/p>\n
Lula knew not to mention the weather to Kiran.<\/div>\n <\/div>\nHe understood that they were not to mention the war.<\/div>\n <\/div>\nMany verbs function in this same way. They can be used in their infinitive from plus “not,” and, just as in the above examples, no commas are used:<\/div>\n <\/div>\nThey were told not to play in the street.<\/div>\n <\/div>\nIf they ask you not to eat the cake until later, you should do as they say.<\/div>\n <\/div>\nIt is important to distinguish this usage from the idiom “not to mention,” which has a special meaning.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n“Not to mention” as an idiom is used to add and emphasize something in a list of two or<\/div>\nHere are three examples of “not to mention” used in this way:<\/p>\n
I can’t believe she has the time and energy, not to mention the money, to remodel the entire house<\/p>\n
The risks, not to mention the costs, of starting a new business now mean it is a terrible idea.<\/p>\n
I don’t like cooking, cleaning or any kind of domestic work. Not to mention, there were no cleaning supplies in the house anyway.<\/p>\n
The first thing to ask yourself when you are deciding whether “not to mention” needs comma is how it is being used in the sentence.<\/p>\n
If<\/a> it is an idiom, you will need a comma before or after it based on where it appears in the sentence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
“Not to mention” as an idiom at the beginning of an independent clause<\/h2>\n
“Not to mention” at the beginning of a sentence is a more informal way of writing or speaking.<\/p>\n
\nIt is also fairly common in casual writing, so<\/a> while you probably wouldn’t see it in a formal essay, you might see it in a social media post or an email from a friend.<\/p>\nWhen “not to mention” comes at the beginning of an independent clause as an idiom, it follows a sentence or independent clause that names at least in a list. It adds at least one more item.<\/p>\n
Treat it as an introductory phrase, and put a comma after it.<\/p>\n
Here are two examples:<\/p>\n
Greta was exhausted; not to mention, she hadn’t eaten all day.<\/p>\n
We were hesitant to go any further because we’d lost our map and didn’t have any water left. Not to mention, we’d heard this was bear country.<\/p>\n
As is always the case with “not to mention,” be sure to distinguish its use as an idiom from other uses.<\/p>\n
Here are three examples of “not to mention” used in this way:<\/p>\n
I can’t believe she has the time and energy, not to mention the money, to remodel the entire house<\/p>\n
The risks, not to mention the costs, of starting a new business now mean it is a terrible idea.<\/p>\n
I don’t like cooking, cleaning or any kind of domestic work. Not to mention, there were no cleaning supplies in the house anyway.<\/p>\n
The first thing to ask yourself when you are deciding whether “not to mention” needs comma is how it is being used in the sentence.<\/p>\n
If<\/a> it is an idiom, you will need a comma before or after it based on where it appears in the sentence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Not to mention” at the beginning of a sentence is a more informal way of writing or speaking.<\/p>\n It is also fairly common in casual writing, so<\/a> while you probably wouldn’t see it in a formal essay, you might see it in a social media post or an email from a friend.<\/p>\n When “not to mention” comes at the beginning of an independent clause as an idiom, it follows a sentence or independent clause that names at least in a list. It adds at least one more item.<\/p>\n Treat it as an introductory phrase, and put a comma after it.<\/p>\n Here are two examples:<\/p>\n Greta was exhausted; not to mention, she hadn’t eaten all day.<\/p>\n We were hesitant to go any further because we’d lost our map and didn’t have any water left. Not to mention, we’d heard this was bear country.<\/p>\n As is always the case with “not to mention,” be sure to distinguish its use as an idiom from other uses.<\/p>\n“Not to mention” as an idiom at the beginning of an independent clause<\/h2>\n