Rule 1: You should use a comma before “in addition to” when it is not essential for the sentence to make sense.
- Correct: What makes people worry the most, in addition to their jobs, is rising energy prices.
- Incorrect: What makes people worry the most in addition to their jobs, is rising energy prices.
Rule 2: When “in addition to” is necessary for the sentence to make sense, you should not put a comma.
- Correct: This money is in addition to my initial investment.
- Incorrect: This money is, in addition to my initial investment.
Please keep reading to learn more about how to use commas with “in addition to.”
When to Use a Comma Before “In Addition To”
When you need to decide when to use a comma before “in addition to,” you should refer to Rule 1.
Rule 1: Use a comma before “in addition to” when the sentence makes sense without it.
Non-defining clauses can appear in the middle or end of a sentence.
In these examples, the sentences are still correct if we remove the “in addition to” clauses.
- We made our judgments about him and, in addition to what he said, his intentions.
- She gave them her blessing for the wedding, in addition to the money she contributed.
When to Avoid a Comma Before “In Addition To”
Rule 2 explains when you shouldn’t use a comma before “in addition to.”
Rule 2: You shouldn’t use a comma before “in addition to” when you need it for the sentence to make sense.
“In addition to” is a preposition, which is not usually preceded by commas because its primary function is to link verbs and nouns within clauses.
Therefore, it is common to see “in addition to” in the middle of a sentence, with no comma before it.
- Food and beverages are served from 7 pm in addition to the entertainment provided on the terrace.
- He said he would give me a new phone in addition to replacing the one he broke.
Conclusion
You should put a comma before “in addition to” when it starts a non-defining segment of a sentence. Therefore, if you can remove it and the overall meaning is still evident, use a comma. However, if you remove it and the sentence doesn’t make sense, do not use a comma.