Too and the comma

Does a comma always come before too at the end of a sentence?

 

I'm curious to see the replies in this discussion. I was taught always to use a comma, but now I'm not so sure. I've noticed that some people leave out the comma while others use it, so I'm not sure if there's a rule I'm unaware of.

 

Not at the tail end of a sentence. Different to its partner, also, too naturally sits post-positionally in syntax.

I also like cars.
I like cars, also.
I like cars too.
I, too, like cars.

Notice there is also a heavy implication of change of meaning when you move too from its natural tail end position, the implication being that you are positioning its modification next to the thing it modifies. This is less apparent with also, which is less fixed in natural syntactic position.

 

I wouldn't have put a comma in either of these:
I like cars, also.
I like cars, too.

Neither one makes sense to me.

 

I was going to say that there's a difference in meaning with and without the comma.

Joe likes cars and I like cars, too.

I like cats and I like cars too.

But now, staring at these, I'm not sure.

 

It appears there is a reason for our confusion if Grammar Girl is right.

 

I have never used commas before a "too" or "also" at the end of sentences. I have never seen any cases where the lack of comma caused a confusion either.

 

Here's what the CMoS has to say about it:

 

Love that 'don't pressure the comma' line.