Comma After 'Yes' or 'No' at the Beginning of a Sentence
The Comma
Rulebase Summary
Use a comma after 'yes' or 'no' at the beginning of a sentence when the statement that follows confirms or restates the yes/no. If the statement that follows explains or adds to the response, use a period after 'yes' or 'no' instead.
Morson's Rule 59 · p.38 BGGP Period.15 · p.74 BGGP Period.16 · p.75 BGGP Separating Comma.44 · p.208 BGGP Separating Comma.45 · p.208 BGGP Yes and No.4 · p.425 BGGP Yes and No.5 · p.426 BGGP Yes and No.9 · p.428 BGGP Yes and No.10 · p.428
Examples
✗
A. Yes I did.
✓
A. Yes, I did.
Comma after 'Yes' when the answer confirms it.
✗
A. No I have never been to that location.
✓
A. No, I have never been to that location.
Comma after 'No' when the statement restates the no.
Transcript Notes
'Yes, I do.' (comma — confirms the yes) vs. 'No. It was revoked last year.' (period — the statement explains rather than confirms).
Style Guide References (9)
Morson's
Rule 59
Page 38
BGGP
Period.15
Page 74
BGGP
Period.16
Page 75
BGGP
Separating Comma.44
Page 208
BGGP
Separating Comma.45
Page 208
BGGP
Yes and No.4
Page 425
BGGP
Yes and No.5
Page 426
BGGP
Yes and No.9
Page 428
BGGP
Yes and No.10
Page 428
See also (5)
Compare Period After Yes or No When Followed by a Conjunction See Period After Echoed Yes/No Answer Before an Additional Sentence Related Comma with Introductory Exclamations (Well, Oh, Why, Alas, My) Compare No Comma for Short Introductory Words or Word Groups Acting as Simple Modifiers Compare Period After Okay, All Right, Very Well, Fine at Beginning of Sentence