Do you put a comma after but?

You don't *always* put a comma after "but". Here's the breakdown:

When to use a comma after "but":

* When it connects two independent clauses. This means both parts of the sentence could stand alone as complete sentences.

* Example: "I went to the store, but they were out of milk."

When NOT to use a comma after "but":

* When it connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. This is when the part after "but" needs the part before it to make sense.

* Example: "I went to the store but couldn't find the milk."

In short, use a comma after "but" if the sentence is two independent clauses joined together. If it's a dependent clause followed by an independent clause, no comma is needed.