Home | About | What is a VA? | Services | Rates | Testimonials | FAQ | Articles | Products | Contact
Weekly Grammar Tips

 

Subscribe to receive FREE grammar tips!
Delivered straight to your inbox every week!

Comma Confusion: The Word "Too"

It's no wonder commas are so confusing―there are an endless number of rules for using them! For this reason, I've decided to start a series called "Comma Confusion," which I'll add to on a regular basis.

Here's the inaugural issue of the "Comma Confusion" series. The following rules are based on those found in The Gregg Reference Manual, tenth edition.¹

Commas and the Word "Too"

Rule #1:
When a sentence or a clause ends with the word too (meaning "also"), the comma preceding the word too is not necessary.

●   I would like a piece of cake too.

●   If you want to go swimming too, we'll take the van instead of the car.


Rule #2:
If the word too (meaning "also") occurs somewhere other than the end of a sentence or a clause, commas should be placed before and after it.

●   We, too, have been invited to the Eckharts' party next weekend.


Rule #3:
If the word too means "excessively," commas should not be used at all.

●   She paid far too much for her new car.

I don't know about you, but I was taught to use a comma before the word too when it comes at the end of a sentence. Apparently the rules have changed!

 

Additional Resources:

●  Would you like to receive the Weekly Grammar Tips newsletter in
    your email inbox? Enter your email address below to receive
    FREE Weekly Grammar Tips. Your email address is safe with me. 

     

●  Read past grammar tips in the Weekly Grammar Tips Archive. Be sure
    to add the archive page to your bookmarks or favorites folder for
    future reference.

●  Do you need a second set of eyes? Read more about my proofreading
    and editing services here.

 

Source:

1. Sabin, William A. The Gregg Reference Manual. Tenth Edition.
         New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005, pp. 32-33.