Comma after adverbs

[Tom]

Hi

Today, I would like to know the secret of the comma after adverbs. Is it really so optional?

I have seen all the versions given below:

1- Apparently she was upset.
2- Apparently, she was upset.

1- So what to do?
2- So, what to do?

1- Could you help me please?
2- Could you help me, please?

1- Today I will tell you a wonderful story!
2- Today, I will tell you a wonderful story!

Tom

[Pamela]

Personally, sentences 1, 2 and 3 I'd used with commas ( but to my not so humble opinion your first sentence can also be written without a comma, especially if the word apparently is placed at the end of the sentence, comma is necessary). In these examples I see a case of parenthesis.

[Mister Micawber]

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HERE'S a good page and a good site. I particularly like the quotations.
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

MM's link has some good guidelines for you. I think they also make one very important point:
Generally speaking, the biggest problem with commas in English is using too many rather than using too few.

A "rule" I was taught when I was in school was:
"When in doubt, leave it out."

The sentences you have in your post are all so short that commas hardly seem necessary.

Sentences 1,2 and 3 can all be used with a comma, but as I said, the sentences are quite short and there's no problem understanding them without commas.

Amy
_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English