A time phrase is something that gives details of the time that something happened. It might be a single word or a complete phrase. Some examples of time phrases are tomorrow, at 2pm, five hundred years ago, and in the meantime.
When a time phrase adds information to an independent clause or sentence that follows it then it should be followed by a comma. If the phrase or sentence comes before the time phrase then it shouldn't have a comma before it.
See Also
Commas (Eight Basic Uses):
IU EastEssential Comma Rules for Business EmailsWhen Not to Use Commas || Oregon State Guide to GrammarComma After Prepositional Phrase: Do You Need It?Example 1:
- Correct: Five hundred years ago, there were no grammar books.
- Incorrect: Five hundred years ago there were no grammar books.
- Correct: There were no grammar books five hundred years ago.
- Incorrect: There were no grammar books, five hundred years ago.
Example 2:
- Correct: Yesterday, there was no new news.
- Incorrect: Yesterday there was no new news.
- Correct: There was no new news yesterday.
- Incorrect: There was no new news, yesterday.
In general, the rules around commas and time phrases are as follows:
- If the time phrase comes before an independent clause or sentence, use a comma after the time phrase.
- If the time phrase comes after an independent clause or sentence, no comma is necessary.
Example 1:
- Correct: Last week, my husband and I went to the movies.
- Incorrect: Last week my husband and I went to the movies.
Example 2:
- Correct: A hundred years ago, women in the United States gained the right to vote.
- Incorrect: A hundred years ago women in the United States gained the right to vote.
Example 3:
- Correct: The Roman Empire fell centuries ago.
- Incorrect: The Roman Empire fell, centuries ago.
Example 4:
- Correct: I have an appointment at three o’clock.
- Incorrect: I have an appointment, at three o’clock.
The comma rule also applies to independent clauses that are not their own sentences. Sometimes independent clauses are tied to other clauses.
For example:
- Correct: Go to sleep, and tonight, Santa will bring you toys.
- Correct: Go to sleep, and Santa will bring you toys tonight.
- Incorrect: Go to sleep, and tonight Santa will bring you toys.
- Incorrect: Go to sleep, and Santa will bring you toys, tonight.
