Should you put a comma before the word but?

You should put a comma before the word "but" when it is used as a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.

Here's a breakdown:

* Independent clause: A complete sentence with a subject and a verb.

* Coordinating conjunction: A word that joins two equal parts of a sentence. The most common ones are:

* for

* and

* nor

* but

* or

* yet

* so

Example:

* Incorrect: I love to eat pizza but I don't like mushrooms.

* Correct: I love to eat pizza, but I don't like mushrooms.

When not to use a comma before "but":

* When "but" is not used as a coordinating conjunction. For example, if "but" is used to introduce a phrase or a dependent clause.

Example:

* Correct: All cats are furry, but not all furry animals are cats. (Here, "but" joins two independent clauses)

* Correct: I like all fruits, but especially apples. (Here, "but" introduces a phrase)

Remember: Pay attention to the structure of your sentence and the function of the word "but" to determine if a comma is needed.