I ate the cake but not the … You should always use a comma before but when joining two independent clauses. Correlative conjunctions always come in pairs, and they relate one part of the sentence to the other. … You should only use a comma before "but" if it connects two complete sentences. A comma should be placed before the word but only if but is at the beginning of an independent clause. “Is there always a comma before ‘but’?” is a common comma question, and a good understanding of coordinating conjunctions will provide the answer. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. This sentence is also grammatically correct (note the comma … If your sentence doesn’t have an interrupter, leave the comma out. But, he didn't have any money." Don't put a comma after the word "but" at the beginning of a sentence. There is a comma before the word but when there is an independent sentence after it. "Not only... but also" can be used to connect either nouns or clauses. If you type “comma” and “but” into Google, the search engine will give you some … Commas are used to pace our sentences and our writing. If there are no two independent clauses, comma is not used. In one of the examples above, “but” was used as a conjunction to correct a comma … …was there, but he did not take part in the discussion. …sent the payment, but it was not posted until … When it is used to join two independent … In your case, … You should only put a comma before "but" when connecting two independent clauses. If it connects a complete sentence to an incomplete sentence, you shouldn't use a comma. When it connects nouns, you never … The … If your sentence has an interrupter after but, then go ahead and use the comma. This lends itself to a more connected feel- more emphasis on the first clause, less on the second. The Quick And Dirty. A comma after but is only necessary if you’re using it as literary device to draw attention to something. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. … Is There Always a Comma before “But”? So if it's used to mean "except", you don't need a comma. The word “but” is a conjunction. When connecting a dependent clause, a comma is not required. "Fred went to the bar last night. The weather is nice but cold. In this example, you need the comma or full stop because the two sentences are complete with subjects and verbs.