Rule 1: When you use “indeed” to interrupt a clause, you can put commas around it if you wish to emphasize the interruption.
- Correct: She is, indeed, the candidate we had been looking for.
- Correct: She is indeed the candidate we had been looking for.
Rule 2: When “indeed” appears at the end of a sentence, you can use a comma before it if you wish to emphasize it with a pause.
- Correct: It was a wonderful trip, indeed.
- Correct: It was a wonderful trip indeed.
Rule 3: If an independent clause follows the term “indeed” in the middle of a sentence, you should use a comma after and a semicolon before it.
- Correct: The team performed well; indeed, they won the tournament.
- Incorrect: The team performed well, indeed, they won the tournament.
Rule 4: When starting a sentence with “indeed,” you should always insert a comma after it.
- Correct: He did a good job. Indeed, the work was worth the money.
- Incorrect: He did a good job. Indeed the work was worth the money.
Rule 5: The comma is optional with “indeed” when you use it as an interruption and do not wish to emphasize it with a pause.
- Correct: He is, indeed, an honest and respectful person.
- Correct: He is indeed an honest and respectful person.
Please keep reading the rest of the article to learn more about how to use commas with the term “indeed.”
When to Use a Comma Before and After “Indeed”
To see when you need to include a comma before and after “indeed,” you should refer to Rule 1.
Rule 1: When “indeed” appears in the middle of a sentence as an interruption, the comma is optional.
By adding it, you add a pause, emphasizing it more than not having the delay.
The following two sentences are therefore valid:
- He was, indeed, here with us all night.
- He was indeed here with us all night.
The same applies to these examples:
- The novel she wrote was, indeed, a masterpiece of contemporary literature.
- The novel she wrote was indeed a masterpiece of contemporary literature.
Now, let’s see when to use a comma before “indeed.”
When to Use a Comma Before “Indeed”
To see when you need to use a comma before “indeed,” please see Rule 2.
Rule 2: When the word “indeed” comes at the end of a sentence, it is optional whether to use a comma before it.
Similar to when “indeed” appears in the middle of a sentence, adding the comma before it creates a pause that emphasizes the word “indeed” or the word(s) that comes after it.
Therefore, the following two sentences are both correct:
- The motorbike engine sounded very bad, indeed.
- The motorbike engine sounded very bad indeed.
The same applies to these two examples:
- His presentation was outstanding, indeed.
- His presentation was outstanding indeed.
Next, we’ll explain when you should use a comma after “indeed.”
When to Use a Comma After “Indeed”
Rules 3 and 4 indicate when you need to put a comma after “indeed.”
Rule 3: You should always put a comma after “indeed” when an independent clause comes immediately after it.
You will know it is independent because it contains a verb and subject, and it makes sense by itself.
When you use “indeed” in this way, you should also put a semicolon before it.
- She was the best; indeed, she outperformed her classmates considerably.
- It was a wonderful vacation; indeed, I enjoyed seeing the sites of Chicago.
- The results were surprising; indeed, no one expected such an outcome.
- His efforts were commendable; indeed, he worked day and night to achieve success.
Rule 4: You must use a comma straight after “indeed” at the beginning of a sentence.
In this role, the word “indeed” is confirming something from the previous sentence. Also, because it is an introductory adverb, you need to put a comma after it.
- The storm was devasting. Indeed, it destroyed most of the town.
- It is a beautiful day. Indeed, we should go to the park.
- The painting is mesmerizing. Indeed, I’ve never seen such vibrant colors.
- The concert was loud. Indeed, I could hear it from miles away.
Lastly, let’s see when to avoid a comma with “indeed.”
When to Avoid a Comma With “Indeed”
Rule 1: When you use the word “indeed” in the middle of a clause, it is optional whether you include a comma.
If you leave the comma out, you are implying that the interruption created by the word “indeed” is slight.
- She was indeed there before me, much to my surprise.
- During her interview, she told the police that she had indeed witnessed the crime.
Conclusion
You must use a comma before “indeed” when it starts a sentence. Also, use a comma after “indeed” and a semicolon before when an independent clause follows it. Furthermore, commas are optional in other situations, including at the end of a sentence and when interrupting a clause.