You’ve likely read sentences in which there was a comma before and/or after the adverb too when it is used to mean “besides” or “also,” but is this correct usage? The fact is, there’s only one circumstance when commas are required with this kind of too, and there are other times when it’s up to the writer and the way they want a sentence to be read. Read on for the rules and options that guide this use of too.
Too in the middle of a sentence
The only time commas with too are a grammatical requirement is when it is inserted in the middle of a sentence; it needs to be set off by a pair of commas so that readers don’t trip on it. In this way, the word follows the same rule as adverbial phrases; when it interrupts the logical flow of the sentence, you need to put commas around it:
Too at the end of a sentence
The other place too frequently appears is at the end of a sentence, and there, it is never necessary to use a comma before too:
However, if a writer wants to emphasize the word too at the end of a sentence, it’s not incorrect to include a comma before it; since commas denote a pause, reading the sentence aloud and listening for whether you naturally pause there may be helpful. Here are a couple of examples of sentences in which you might choose to include a comma before too:
