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These are two adverbs used together....actually three.

They were raised very closely together.

Do I need a comma to separate "together"?

They were raised very closely, together.

The first sentence just does not sound right to my ear. But I am not a native speaker, so I thought it best to ask. Thank you.

iamyourpapa
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  • I am not a native speaker either, but the second sounds rather artificial, although it is possible to say it that way, with a pause after 'closely'. The two sentences do have slightly different meanings. – Victor Bazarov Sep 06 '15 at 21:24
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    Btw there is nothing wrong with the bare adverb "close". In fact, it's more idiomatic and natural-sounding in your example. The idea that all adverbs have to have the -ly suffix to distinguish them from the adjective form is a myth. – Brian Hitchcock Sep 07 '15 at 10:11
  • In addition, the adverb very is overused. And I don't see how together adds much. Thus, taking into account Bryan's comment, you could pleasantly restate your sentence as They were raised close. –  Nov 06 '15 at 16:51

2 Answers2

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Unless you want to set off "together", as in some literary context (emphasizing "together"), don't add a comma.

If you speak the two phrases, and pause at the comma, you can probably get the difference.

user3169
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I would not use a comma, because very closely and together are not separate adverbs in this case; instead, very closely modifies together.

To put it a different way: they were not raised very closely, and together; they were raised in very close togetherness.

stangdon
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