Comma after the then?

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Provrb1810meggy

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I'm starting to revise my MG novel, so I'm going to be popping into this forum a lot. I tend to over-comma everything.

Anywho...

When you start a sentence with then, as in Then I go to my first class, is there a comma after then? I've been putting one there, but I'm not sure if it's right.

Help would be appreciated. *cough, cough rep points available cough, cough*
 
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dawinsor

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My Chicago Manual of Style says that introductory phrases usually require a comma BUT a single word or very short phrase doesn't except to avoid misreading. So I'd say you don't need it.
 

Provrb1810meggy

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Thanks! I like the way it looks better without the comma, so I'll probably get rid of it.

Oh, and does anyone else think there should be a sticky of grammar rules that frequently come up? Hmm, or maybe I should just stop being a cheapskate and buy a grammar book, even though it will give me horrid flashbacks to the most boring ninth grade English class ever.
 

Jamesaritchie

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I'm starting to revise my MG novel, so I'm going to be popping into this forum a lot. I tend to over-comma everything.

Anywho...

When you start a sentence with then, as in Then I go to my first class, is there a comma after then? I've been putting one there, but I'm not sure if it's right.

Help would be appreciated. *cough, cough rep points available cough, cough*

No comma after then by any rule.
 

precisiontext

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My Chicago Manual of Style says that introductory phrases usually require a comma BUT a single word or very short phrase doesn't except to avoid misreading.

What counts as a very short phrase in CMS? What about phrases like:

This morning, I drove to work.

Last night, I had dinner with a friend.

These are short, but I assume they need commas?
 

dawinsor

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What counts as a very short phrase in CMS? What about phrases like:

This morning, I drove to work.

Last night, I had dinner with a friend.

These are short, but I assume they need commas?

I'm guessing that's a judgment call, but the CMS (15th ed) gives as an example:

On Tuesday he tried to see the mayor.
 
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