Saturday, April 21, 2012

When starting a sentence with "then", which punctuation is correct? "Then, discuss with the others." "Then discuss with the others."Wondering if...

Then, discuss with the
others
.


 According to Hodges'
Harbace Handbook,
one should use a comma to set off words such as
interjections, vocatives (words used to address someone directly), or
transitional words.  In this sentence,
then seems to be used as a transitional word of
order.


The Chicago Manual of Style
states that introductory sentences usually require a comma, but a single word
or short phrase does not except to avoid misreading. So, a comma still seems in order if
one is using then to introduce a step in a procedure. Rule: 
Whenever a pause is in order, use a comma. For
example,      


readability="7">

First, read the material that has
been distributed.  Then, discuss with the
others.


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