comma after "so"

[sbrodsky]

Dear teacher,
what is right (better)?

And so(,?) we left from that place.
So(,?) we left from that place.

Thank you.

 

[Rover_KE]

They are both wrong.

'So we left that place.'

Rover

 

[novaguy1968]

In fact, I would argue that both of these need some adjustment.
In writing, it is generally considered poor form to begin sentences with conjunctions (and,so=coordinating conjunctions). Therefore, to some people, "So we left that place" is not really a sentence (although acceptable in informal writing and speaking). A better choice would be "Therefore, we left that place."

 

[Barb_D]

"Sometimes, at the beginning of a sentence, so will act as a kind of summing up device or transition, and when it does, it is often set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma."

Conjunctions

The grammar expert does so as well on this site: Grammar Girl : Starting a Sentence With "However" :: Quick and Dirty Tips

 

[novaguy1968]

I think it depends on the writing. In academic writing, it's generally considered considered poor form since a conjunction is designed to connect independent clauses. If you begin a sentence with so, it's not connected to anything. I think in academic writing, better choices would be words such as 'however,' 'as a result,' etc.

 

[sbrodsky]

In fact, I would argue that both of these need some adjustment.
In writing, it is generally considered poor form to begin sentences with conjunctions (and,so=coordinating conjunctions). Therefore, to some people, "So we left that place" is not really a sentence (although acceptable in informal writing and speaking). A better choice would be "Therefore, we left that place."

But it changes meaning...

 

[sbrodsky]

I think it depends on the writing. In academic writing, it's generally considered considered poor form since a conjunction is designed to connect independent clauses. If you begin a sentence with so, it's not connected to anything. I think in academic writing, better choices would be words such as 'however,' 'as a result,' etc.

----------------NOT A TEACHER----------------------------

I don't think that a conjunction is designed to connect independent clauses.

 

[Barb_D]

----------------NOT A TEACHER----------------------------

I don't think that a conjunction is designed to connect independent clauses.

*GASP* You used a contraction! ;-)

That's exactly what the FANBOYS conjunctions do -- For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So all connect (among other things) independent clauses.

 

[TheParser]

Dear teacher,
what is right (better)?

And so(,?) we left from that place.
So(,?) we left from that place.

Thank you.

********** NOT A TEACHER **********

Hello, Sbrodsky.

(1) I have really enjoyed reading all the wonderful answers.

(2) Just thought that you would like to know that a few (VERY few)

writers refuse to accept so as a conjunction. They insist that it

be treated as an adverb.

(3) Not: I was tired, so I went to bed.

(4) But: I was tired; so I went to bed.

I was tired. So I went to bed.

(5) As the language professionals have told you, native

speakers today treat so as a conjunction, so (!!!) we have

no choice but to accept this development.

Thank you

 

[sbrodsky]

*GASP* You used a contraction! ;-)

That's exactly what the FANBOYS conjunctions do -- For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So all connect (among other things) independent clauses.

1. Yes, but you guys almost forced me to use contractions!

2. About conjunctions: they do connect (sometimes) independent clauses. But they can (sometimes) start a sentence.

3. I like this forum very much.

Thank you

 

[Barb_D]

For the record, I agree that starting a sentence with and, but, and or is best left to informal writing.