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Even we struggle with grammar at times, particularly with comma usage and the ever-confusing “too” (or is it “to”?). Is a comma required after “I, too” in a sentence? Is “artistic license” the deciding factor? Put that comma down; using “too” in a sentence, whether at the beginning, middle, or end, is much simpler than you might think.
“I Too” Or “I, Too”?
- “I too” is used as an adverb when “too” is used. This highlights the relationship of “too” with the surrounding terms. The phrase “I, too,” followed by a comma, is disjunct. A sentence is said to be “too” when it emphasizes the entire sentence.
- The divergences stem largely from alternative conceptualizations. Both of these phrases convey the same thing.
- The most proper (and expected) way to write a sentence is with commas. Yet, they are superfluous when we write more formally or passively.
“I, Too” Correct or Incorrect
- “I, too,” is not incorrect. On the other hand, if you want to adhere to the familiar and standard English rules, this is the option you should go with. Thanks to our comma, it is possible for “too” to be included in its clause. This converts it into an emphasis, allowing us to adjust the statement.
- Without the second comma after “too,” the sentence would be grammatically incorrect. For instance:
I, too, would like to see that show. - This is incorrect because we need a second comma after “too.” To avoid any grammatical errors, we must remember to put it in commas:
I, too, would like to see that show.
When Should I Use the Expression “I, Too?”
When concerned with grammatical accuracy, “I, too,” makes the most sense. Because it adheres to the rules that govern the placement of adverbs amid sentences like these, it functions most effectively when written in an official style.
If an adverb such as “too” comes straight after a pronoun in a sentence, a comma must be used to set it apart from the rest. Because of this, we can utilize it as a disjunct, which indicates that the entire phrase is altered or emphasized by the word “too.”
1. I, too, have a lot to contribute. I’m hoping you’ll be open to hearing me out on it.
2. I, too, need your assistance. I won’t take up much of your time if you give me a few minutes to explain.
3. I, too, have many things to be thankful for. I wish I could put everything out there for the public to see.
4. I, too, assumed you were smarter than that. I made the same mistake as the rest of them.
5. I, too, would love to see that movie with you. Maybe you should invite me next time!
Should “I, too,” always be used without a comma?
“I too” can be used instead of “I, too” without a comma. The word “too” functions as an adjunct without commas surrounding it, meaning it modifies only the two words immediately before and after it. The commas are unnecessary because they add nothing to the meaning.
- In almost all textual situations, “I, too,” can be substituted for “I, too.”
- This can be seen to be the case by considering the following:
1. I, too, will be interested in continuing our conversation with you.
2. I, too, will want to continue our conversation with you.
- These two expressions signify the same thing. Eliminating the commas has no effect. But “too” draws attention to the phrases “I” and “will” immediately surrounding it in the statement.
Conclusion
The rules of English grammar can be challenging to follow, mainly when they appear inconsistent. The proper use of commas is an excellent illustration of this point. In this section, we will discuss the distinctions between the phrases “I too” and “I, too” to better explain when the comma should (or should not) be used.