Is There a Comma After “In Fact”?

Rule 1: You should always put a comma after “in fact” when it starts a sentence.

  • Correct: He wasn’t Spanish. In fact, he was Portuguese.
  • Incorrect: He wasn’t Spanish. In fact he was Portuguese.

Rule 2: When “in fact” connects two independent clauses, you should put a semicolon before it and a comma after it.

  • Correct: The French speaking assessment was complex; in fact, most of the students failed the speaking section of the test.
  • Incorrect: The French speaking assessment was complex, in fact, most of the students failed the speaking section of the test.

Rule 3: When “in fact” appears in the middle of a sentence to interrupt clauses rather than connect them, it is optional to put commas around “in fact.”

  • Correct: She was, in fact, inspirational.
  • Correct: She was in fact inspirational.

Keep reading to learn more about when you must include a comma after “in fact” and when you can omit it. You can also discover when you should use a comma before “in fact.”

When to Use a Comma After “In Fact”

If you want to know when to use a comma after “in fact,” you should refer to Rule 1 and Rule 2.

Rule 1: Use a comma after “in fact” when it starts the sentence.

When “in fact” starts a sentence, it is an introductory element, and you should always use a comma.

In this role, it functions to show a contrast between the first and second sentences. The meaning is similar to the word “actually.”

  • James was not upset as we thought. In fact, he seemed quite happy.
  • You will not criticize me when you see the results. In fact, you will be thanking me.

Rule 2: Use a comma after “in fact” when it connects two independent clauses.

In these instances, many people make the mistake of using a comma before and after.

However, you should use a semicolon before “in fact” rather than a comma.

  • Many people have recounted the myth; in fact, it is one of the most popular stories.
  • Brian said he had extensive work experience; in fact, he was a recent graduate of marketing.

Alternatively, you can break up the sentence into two by replacing the semicolon with a period. In these cases, you should include a comma after “in fact” as Rule 1 states:

  • Many people have recounted the myth. In fact, it is one of the most popular stories.

When to Avoid a Comma With” In Fact”

This section highlights when you do not need to use a comma with “in fact.”

Rule 3: It is optional to use a comma after “in fact” when it interrupts a clause rather than starting or finishing it.

In these instances, you can omit the comma if it is modifying a verb, adjective, or adverb.

You can also include the comma if you wish to add a pause and create emphasis.

Not adding the comma results in a softer, somewhat less dramatic-sounding sentence:

  • She was not in fact running for the school council like she said she would. (verb)
  • His father is in fact a kind and gentle man. (adjective)
  • He was in fact here yesterday, not at work. (adverb)

However, by adding the commas, you essentially create more emotion by adding stress and pauses:

  • His father is, in fact, a kind and gentle man. (adjective)

When to Use a Comma Before “In Fact”

Do you want to learn when to use a comma before “in fact”? Then read on, as Rules 4 and 5 will explain exactly this.

Rule 4: Use a comma before “in fact” when it starts a non-essential clause in the middle of a sentence.

  • She is astute, in fact more so than her siblings, and is destined for great things.
  • We met on a Sunday, in fact, it was his birthday, in front of the fountain.

Rule 5: Use a comma when “in fact” appears at the end of a sentence as a disjunct.

In this role, the term “in fact” comes at the end of the sentence and functions in the same way as words like “obviously/basically.”

This implies that you use it to add emphasis or emotion rather than it playing a specific grammatical role.

Therefore, “rather” can be removed from the sentence in the same way a non-essential element can, and thus requires a comma.

  • What he did was foolish and unforgivable, in fact.
  • We think that the forecast for the following year is promising, in fact.

Conclusion

You should put a comma after “in fact” when it starts a sentence. Also, you must use a semicolon before and a comma after “in fact” when it connects two independent clauses. Alternatively, if “in fact” appears mid-clause and modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, the comma is optional.