[Grammar] Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" in this sentence?

[eggcracker]

Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" in this sentence?

"Elsewhere Justinian's army regained parts of Spai from the Visigoths and several of the large Mediterranean islands."
Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" above sentence?

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" in this sentence?

Yes.

 

[BrunaBC]

Re: Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" in this sentence?

But everywhere is more common, right?

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" in this sentence?

It might be more common, but it wouldn't be right here.

'Everywhere' means in all places; 'elsewhere' means in other places.

Rover

 

[TheParser]

Re: Is it gramatically correct not to use comma after "Elsewhere" in this sentence?

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

Hello, Jungjou:


I did some research, and "elsewhere" may be an adverb that modifies the verb. That is, maybe your sentence is

"Justinian's army regained elsewhere parts of Spain and several islands."

When you put the adverb at the beginning, you have a choice:

1. Elsewhere, Justinian's army regained ....

2. Elsewhere Justinian's army regained ....

One expert explained that a comma is fine "for emphasis or to create a dramatic pause."

But she reminded us that today most readers find unnecessary pauses to be "annoying."

*****

Because I am an old man and am accustomed to older forms, I would definitely put a comma. But I am guessing that

most people nowadays would not use the comma.

*****

Of course, "everyone" would use commas in this kind of sentence:

Elsewhere, however, Justinian's army ....

(It would be difficult to understand: Elsewhere however Justinian's army ....)

*****

The expert I cited is Ms. Tina Blue, whose article on the Web is entitled "Commas after introductory adverbial elements."



HAVE A NICE DAY!