{"id":8717,"date":"2020-10-16T21:21:41","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T21:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/?p=8717"},"modified":"2023-04-12T06:46:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T06:46:06","slug":"comma-before-or-after-thus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-thus\/","title":{"rendered":"Comma before or after \u201cthus\u201d: The Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:150%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}<\/style><p>Commas can be tricky. On top of that, &ldquo;thus&rdquo; can be a tricky word.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus&rdquo; can mean &ldquo;in this way&rdquo; or &ldquo;like this.&rdquo; It can also have the same meaning as the words &ldquo;consequently,&rdquo; &ldquo;therefore,&rdquo; and &ldquo;as a result of.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Knowing when a comma is needed with the word &ldquo;thus&rdquo; depends in part on which definition is used.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes, whether or not to use a comma is a question of style and not of correct or incorrect punctuation. This is the case with some usages of &ldquo;thus.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Figuring out when to use a comma before or after &ldquo;thus&rdquo; can thus be tricky, but with a few guidelines in mind, you can figure it out!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<br>\n[toc]\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Do you need a comma before or after &ldquo;thus&rdquo;?<\/h2>\n<p>When &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is used to mean &ldquo;in this way,&rdquo; it does not need commas before or after it.<br>\nThe rest of the guidelines below refer to when &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is used to mean &ldquo;consequently.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a sentence with two independent clauses that are joined by &ldquo;thus,&rdquo; you need a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/semicolons\/\" title=\"semi-colon\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">semi-colon<\/a> before it, not a comma. You usually need a comma after it.<\/p>\n<p>At the beginning of a sentence, it is usually followed by a comma.<\/p>\n<p>When &ldquo;thus&rdquo; introduces a gerund or a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-gerund\/\">gerund phrase<\/a><\/strong>, a comma is needed before &ldquo;thus&rdquo; but not after it.<\/p>\n<p>In the middle of an independent clause that it is interrupting, &ldquo;thus&rdquo; should be set apart with a comma on either side of it if it is a strong break or interruption.<\/p>\n<p>If it is a weak break or interruption, it does not commas.<\/p>\n<p>This is also true when &ldquo;thus&rdquo; comes between a helping verb and a main verb.<\/p>\n<div class=\"grow-exclusive-content-widget-aa70192d-d134-4c49-86a3-d6f2effb13c9 grow-allow-content-ads\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1FcGWj9ZmJCqbVuKMOa6A7yA_r8YRdtsq\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16942 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\" alt=\"Comma Rules Cheat Sheet\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-720x405.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-735x413.jpeg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-335x188.jpeg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-347x195.jpeg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-520x293.jpeg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-640x360.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1080x608.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16942 size-full eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201280%20720'%3E%3Crect%20width='1280'%20height='720'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Comma Rules Cheat Sheet\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-720x405.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-735x413.jpeg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-335x188.jpeg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-347x195.jpeg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-520x293.jpeg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-640x360.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1080x608.jpeg 1080w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>When &ldquo;thus&rdquo; means &ldquo;in this way&rdquo; or &ldquo;like this&rdquo;<\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11472\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged.jpg\" alt=\"Thus engaged\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11472 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged.jpg\" alt=\"Thus engaged\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Thus-engaged.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p>Here are a few examples of how &ldquo;thus&rdquo; would be used in a sentence with this meaning. Note that a comma does not come before or after &ldquo;thus&rdquo; for this usage:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">He became absorbed in the book, and while he was thus distracted, his house burned down.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Harold was studying hard for the test, and thus occupied, he stopped worrying about his friend.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Marisol was painting in her studio. Thus engaged, she was happy and content.<\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>When two independent clauses are joined by &ldquo;thus&rdquo;<\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11474\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus.jpg\" alt=\"Umbrella in the rain\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11474 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus.jpg\" alt=\"Umbrella in the rain\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus&rdquo; is a conjunctive adverb. This means that it can act like a coordinating conjunction in joining two sentences.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, a coordinating conjunction is a word like &ldquo;and,&rdquo; &ldquo;but,&rdquo; or &ldquo;or&rdquo; that joins two independent clauses or complete sentences to make one sentence.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus&rdquo; means &ldquo;consequently&rdquo; in these types of sentences. Here is an example of &ldquo;thus&rdquo; being used in this way.<\/p>\n<p>You need a semicolon before &ldquo;thus,&rdquo; and usually, a comma should come after it.<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">It rained hard all day; thus, we could not play outside.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Here&rsquo;s one more example:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Albert forgot to check the time; thus, he was late for class.<\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>&ldquo;Thus&rdquo; at the beginning of a sentence<\/h2>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus&rdquo; at the beginning of a sentence is usually followed by a comma, but it does not always have to be.<\/p>\n<p>It is identical to the above situation with the semi-colon except that, of course, there is no punctuation before &ldquo;thus&rdquo; since it is at the beginning of the sentence.<\/p>\n<p><i>The cat had been playing all morning. Thus, it slept throughout the afternoon.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Remember that <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-even\/\">even<\/a><\/strong> though there might not be a strict punctuation rule for some <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">comma usage<\/a><\/strong>, different teachers, style manuals, organizations and companies may have an additional rule they like to use for these optional cases to keep writing consistent.<br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Introducing a gerund or another set of words<\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11477\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2.jpg\" alt=\"Comma after Thus 2\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11477 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2.jpg\" alt=\"Comma after Thus 2\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-Thus-2.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p>When &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is used to mean &ldquo;consequently&rdquo; or &ldquo;as a result of&rdquo; and introduces a gerund or a gerund phrase, a comma is necessary before it but not after it. The word &ldquo;thereby&rdquo; could be used interchangeably in these types of sentences.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some examples:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">She gave the winning answer, thus ending the competition.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">He burned the roast, thus spoiling their dinner.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">They worked hard on the house all summer, thus transforming it into a beautiful showcase.<\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What are &ldquo;strong&rdquo; and &ldquo;weak&rdquo; breaks or interruptions?<\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11479\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3.jpg\" alt=\"Comma after thus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11479 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3.jpg\" alt=\"Comma after thus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-3.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p>This refers to whether the use of the word &ldquo;thus&rdquo; significantly interrupts the flow of a sentence or is used for emphasis. When this is the case, it is a strong break and needs a comma.<\/p>\n<p>If &ldquo;thus&rdquo; does not significantly interrupt the sentence, it is a weak break, and it might not need a comma.<\/p>\n<p>Comma usage in these cases is somewhat subjective. You have to be careful though because in the case of a strong break or interruption, if you leave the comma out, it will be noticeable.<\/p>\n<p>Let&rsquo;s look at some examples.<\/p>\n<p>In the sentence below, putting commas around &ldquo;thus&rdquo; help emphasize the importance and tragedy of the consequence.<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">The king never received the message of surrender. His entire country, thus, went to war for no reason.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Here&rsquo;s an example <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-where\/\">where<\/a><\/strong> you probably don&rsquo;t need a comma around &ldquo;thus.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Rahul made apple pies all day. His house thus smelled of cinnamon and cooked apples.<\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>When &ldquo;thus&rdquo; comes between verbs<\/h3>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus might come between verbs in certain compound verb uses.<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of &ldquo;thus&rdquo; making a weak break between the two verbs used for past progressive tense:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Bob forgot his lunch and was thus starving by the time he got off work..<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Here is an example with a strong break:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">The civilization was conquered, and all of its records were destroyed. It was, thus, forgotten until hundreds of years later.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Once again, notice that the subtle difference between <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-instead\/\">using a comma<\/a><\/strong> with a strong or weak interruption has to do in part with emphasis and the importance you are giving to the consequence.<\/p>\n<p>It is not really a big deal if Bob is a little bit hungry after work. In comparison, the destruction of an entire civilization is much more consequential.<br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Commas, formal register and humor<\/h3>\n<p>A comma around &ldquo;thus&rdquo; in the sentence about Bob could add humorous emphasis to the fact of Bob&rsquo;s hunger.<\/p>\n<p>If you think about a comma as indicating a pause in speech, imagine how you might say these two sentences differently:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Bob forgot his lunch and was thus starving by the time he got off work.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Bob forgot his lunch and was, thus, starving by the time he got off work.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Using a formal register in an informal situation can be a way of speaking humorously because it helps you exaggerate the consequences of a situation.<\/p>\n<p>As we&rsquo;ll discuss a little bit more below, &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is used in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/basic-business-english-vocabulary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">formal speech<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The second sentence suggests that Bob&rsquo;s hunger is not serious, because being hungry after skipping one meal is usually fairly trivial.<\/p>\n<p>However, it might be something Bob&rsquo;s friends tease him about taking very seriously.<br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Hearing the difference<\/h3>\n<p>Let&rsquo;s look at one more example where &ldquo;thus&rdquo; comes between<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/transitive-verbs\/\">verbs<\/a><\/strong>. In the introduction to this post, you read:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Figuring out when to use a comma before or after &ldquo;thus&rdquo; can thus be tricky.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>This comes just after the paragraph that tells you that using a comma before or after &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is often a matter of style.<\/p>\n<p>In the phrase &ldquo;can thus be tricky,&rdquo; the word &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is referring back to this matter of style that <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/unnecessary-commas\/\">makes the comma optional<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This is a weak break, but it might help you to better understand the difference if you read the sentence out loud with no pauses and then again with pauses around the second &ldquo;thus&rdquo; in the sentence.<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Figuring out when to use a comma before or after &ldquo;thus&rdquo; can, thus, be tricky.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>Do you hear the difference in emphasis <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-and\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">and<\/a><\/strong> how the comma could subtly change how you read the sentence?<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8721\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus.png\" alt='Comma Before or After \"Thus\"' width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus.png 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-561x842.png 561w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-364x546.png 364w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-728x1092.png 728w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-608x912.png 608w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-758x1137.png 758w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus.png\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8721 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus.png\" alt='Comma Before or After \"Thus\"' width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus.png 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-561x842.png 561w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-364x546.png 364w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-728x1092.png 728w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-608x912.png 608w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus-758x1137.png 758w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-Before-or-After-Thus.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Do you need a comma with &ldquo;and thus&rdquo;?<\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11481\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4.jpg\" alt=\"Comma after and thus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11481 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4.jpg\" alt=\"Comma after and thus\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Comma-after-thus-4.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;And thus&rdquo; might appear at the beginning of a sentence, when connecting two independent clauses or when connecting an independent clause with a dependent clause or compound predicate.<\/p>\n<p>The rules for using a comma with &ldquo;and thus&rdquo; are consistent with those reviewed above.<br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>&ldquo;And thus&rdquo; at the beginning of a sentence<\/h3>\n<p>A comma is optional, adding greater emphasis if it is used.<\/p>\n<p>Take a look at the difference in these two sentences. Once again, try reading them out loud, pausing at the comma:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">&ldquo;And thus, we come to the end of the story.&rdquo;<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">&ldquo;And thus we come to the end of the story.&rdquo;<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>In the first example, the comma suggests that the end of the story is an important occasion.<\/p>\n<p>The listeners might be somewhat sad or disappointed that the story is over.<\/p>\n<p>In the second example, it is less important that the story is at an end.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, it could even signal that the story is about to be wrapped up very quickly and perhaps anticlimactically:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">&ldquo;And thus we come to the end of the story with Alice waking up from a strange dream.<\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>&ldquo;And thus&rdquo; connecting two independent clauses<\/h3>\n<p>As discussed above, when &ldquo;thus&rdquo; connects two independent clauses, you need a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/academicguides.waldenu.edu\/writingcenter\/punctuation\/semicolons\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">semicolon<\/a><\/strong> before &ldquo;thus.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>However, when &ldquo;and thus&rdquo; connects the two <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/clauses-vs-phrases\/\">independent clauses<\/a><\/strong>, it is like any other sentence in which a conjunction connects two sentences. A comma must come before &ldquo;and&rdquo;:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">The show was over, and thus, we went home.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>As is the case with &ldquo;and thus&rdquo; at the beginning of a sentence, using a comma after &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is optional:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">The show was over, and thus we went home.<\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>&ldquo;And thus&rdquo; connecting a dependent clause or compound predicate<\/h3>\n<p>Keep in mind that when you join two phrases with &ldquo;and,&rdquo; this does not necessarily mean they are both independent clauses. Here&rsquo;s an example:<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">Stretching before exercise can warm up your muscles and thus prevents injury.<\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p>The clause beginning &ldquo;and thus&rdquo; does not have a subject, so it is not a complete sentence. It is a compound predicate.<\/p>\n<p>You are not supposed to separate a compound predicate from the rest of the sentence with a comma, so you do not use one here.<br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>When should &ldquo;thus&rdquo; be used?<\/h2>\n<p>One thing you might notice in some of the example sentences above is that &ldquo;thus&rdquo; could be taken out of the sentence without changing the meaning or structure.<\/p>\n<p>As mentioned above, &ldquo;thus&rdquo; is a word that is both formal and slightly old-fashioned.<\/p>\n<p>You would be more likely to see it in writing or hear it in a speech someone is making or in another formal spoken context.<\/p>\n<p>In <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/swag-meaning\/\">informal speech<\/a><\/strong>, it would stand out a bit. The contrast of the word&rsquo;s formality means that using it in casual speech draws attention to it.<\/p>\n<p>For that reason, you might use it for emphasis or comedic effect.<\/p>\n<p>As discussed above, mixing formal registers into casual conversations and trivial occurrences is one way to bring out the humor of the situation.<\/p>\n<p>If you were speaking informally and you were talking about one thing happening as a result of another, you would be more likely to say &ldquo;that&rsquo;s why&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;thus.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">\n<p>Formal:<br>\n<i>I overslept; thus, I was late.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><\/i><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#dbdad8;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#f5f4f2;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:12px;-moz-border-radius:12px;-webkit-border-radius:12px;\">\n<p>Informal:<br>\n<i>I overslept; that&rsquo;s why I was late.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><\/i><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/i><br>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>&ldquo;It was ever thus\/Twas ever thus&rdquo;<\/h2>\n<p>&ldquo;Thus&rdquo; rarely comes at the end of a sentence, but there is an idiom that you may occasionally see that uses &ldquo;thus&rdquo; at the end, and it never needs a comma before it.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was ever thus&rdquo; or &ldquo;Twas ever thus&rdquo; means that a certain thing has always been this way and always will be, or at least it seems to be the case. (&ldquo;Twas&rdquo; or &ldquo;&rsquo;twas&rdquo; is sometimes used a poetic contraction of &ldquo;it was.&rdquo;)<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of the idiom followed by an independent clause, in which case a comma is needed after &ldquo;thus&rdquo;:<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It was ever thus, and the rich and powerful will always win.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>However, it is more common to simply hear people say just the four words, &ldquo;It was ever thus,&rdquo; with nothing following it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Commas can be tricky. On top of that, &ldquo;thus&rdquo; can be a tricky word. &ldquo;Thus&rdquo; can mean &ldquo;in this way&rdquo; or &ldquo;like this.&rdquo; It can also have the same meaning as the words &ldquo;consequently,&rdquo; &ldquo;therefore,&rdquo; and &ldquo;as a result of.&rdquo; Knowing when a comma is needed with the word &ldquo;thus&rdquo; depends in part on which &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8723,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"_convertkit_action_broadcast_export":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,1119,1116],"tags":[80,122,121,103,119],"class_list":["post-8717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-comma-rules","category-grammar","tag-comma","tag-comma-after-thus","tag-comma-before-thus","tag-comma-usage","tag-commas"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8717"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24802,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8717\/revisions\/24802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}