Is this correct without a comma after 'No'?
Mike: Would you like a slice, Joe?
Bob: No thanks.April: Would you like a beer?
Amy: No thank you.
Context seems clear to me without a comma in each.
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Are you trying to conserve characters, or is there some other motivation for wanting to omit the comma? There's probably not too much chance that you'll be misunderstood, but that one little punctuation mark will ensure that the sentence is read No, (but I) thank you (just the same) rather than as (I offer) no [‘]thank you[’].– 1006aCommented Oct 2, 2016 at 1:20
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1"No thanks" is commonly said without any hint of a pause, and thus there is no need for the comma, in most uses. There is little danger of it being misinterpreted in a reasonable context. "No, thank you", on the other hand, is probably more appropriate with the comma -- there is generally a hint of a pause after "no".– Hot LicksCommented Oct 2, 2016 at 1:24
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1Does this answer your question? Should there be a comma after "no" in "no thank you"?– 5260452Commented Mar 23, 2021 at 16:56
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See also: english.stackexchange.com/questions/272157/…– 5260452Commented Mar 23, 2021 at 16:56
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1 Answer
It is not required. If using "No thanks" which is shortened for thank you. If using "No, thank you" there is a pause and sounds more formal with the comma.
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1Welcome to EL&U! Can you flesh out this answer and add some references? Take the Tour and see How to Answer for more. Commented Oct 2, 2016 at 8:00