After a time phrase that comes before a sentence or independent clause. Homework. Consider the sample sentences below: This same rule applies to introductory clauses. Before the movie starts let’s get some popcorn. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. Introductory words, like introductory phrases, require a comma. However, if you write all your sentences this way, your writing will be boring. I would like to know what the rule is, if there is one, behind the use of commas after all sequence words except then. Example. If you have an introductory word (or two) that is being used as an adverb (usually answers the question of when, where, why, or to what degree), then no comma. Here is another example of a sentence with introductory words; Because the rain started, she rolled up the windows. (five or more words) Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. The prepositional phrase adds information to the main clause, often about a location or timing. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. After a Dependent Clause at the Beginning of a Sentence . Mood: How to Use Tone and Mood in Your Writing, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing, Happy New Year, New Year’s, or New Years? When my dog needs exercise, I take her for a long walk on the beach. If You Use a Serial Comma, Use it Consistently. Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up. Once you find your worksheet, click on pop-out … But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma. 6th grade . Introductory clauses often begin with words like: after, although, because, before, if, since, until, and when. The word and is added before the last noun, which is not followed by a comma. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. The trend is toward omitting commas after introductory words and phrases unless they're needed for clarity. Use a comma between a city and state. If you have an introductory word (or two) that is being used as an adverb (usually answers the question of when, where, why, or to what degree), then no comma. Edit. English. Between the towering city buildings, the sky could be seen. Use commas after adverbial phrases and adverbial clauses. These are often used as transition words, to link one sentence to the next. Before the movie starts, let’s get some popcorn. They went home is the main clause. Although we had reviewed the film twice before, we never noticed these details about the shooting. To use it properly, you need to use a comma after the introductory prepositional phrase to set it apart from the rest of the sentence if the phrase is longer than four words. After a subordinate clause—one that starts with a subordinating conjunction. Use a comma after an introductory adverb prepositional phrase unless it is very short (3-4 words) and is not likely to be misunderstood. As the day drew to a smoky end, the firefighters put out the last of the embers. After introductory words, we use a comma to separate the introductory word from the independent clause. A common way to write a sentence is to start with the subject followed by the verb. 0. Use a comma after phrases and clauses that change the whole sentence. Introductory phrase: While getting ready for bed, Susan heard a knock at the door. The award-winning teacher, Mrs. Becky Armstrong, was honored at graduation for her impact on students’ lives. Introductory words, like introductory phrases, require a comma. Use a comma to separate items in a sequence. While we were hiking we spotted a … Share practice link. Print; Share; Edit; Delete; Host a game. Introductory adverbs need to be set off from the rest of the sentence with commas, UNLESS they are part of a part of a phrase, in which case the entire phrase gets a comma. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. Consider the below examples of sentences containing properly placed and omitted commas: When your introductory phrase actually contains two prepositional phrases, it’s best to use a comma. Live Game Live. Since it's clear without the comma, modern grammarians consider this correct (and consider the comma version correct, too). When you list three or more items, it’s best to put a … I have seen "then" written both with a comma and without one, but I remember reading somewhere that you never put a comma after the word "then". Sometimes, a restrictive appositive phrase acts as an introductory phrase. The child went to school is a word group which can stand alone as a sentence (independent clause).Therefore, there should be a comma before the word but. Here is an example of a sentence with introductory words: After the dance, they went home. When to Use Commas After Introductory Prepositional Phrases When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. In the examples below, the introductory phrase contains two prepositional phrases: “during the production” and “of the film.”. Solo Practice. a. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. A comma comes after every coordinating adjective except for the last adjective. Delete Quiz. Clauses which provide readers with the main idea of the text that follow and set the stage for the topic are known as introductory clauses. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. After riding his bike around the neighborhood twice, Rob was sweating profusely. 0 0. Save. To play this quiz, please finish editing it. When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. The 8 Parts of Speech: Examples and Rules, 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines. 0. An introductory participial phrase should be set off by a comma unless the sentence is inverted and the phrase immediately precedes the verb. You have been successfully subscribed to the Grammarly blog. Example: The beach I went to is in Fairfield, Connecticut. Many grammarians would also remove the commas around "no doubt" for the same reason. -- Created using Powtoon -- Free sign up at http://www.powtoon.com/youtube/ -- Create animated videos and animated presentations for free. The sentence below, however, contains a restrictive appositive: In this case, the appositive is restrictive because it is necessary for the reader to know which opera singer had myopia. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.Most newspapers and magazines drop the Oxford comma in a simple series, … … Commas and Introductory Elements: When a sentence begins with an adverbial clause, put a comma after it. Edit. Use a comma because the introductory prepositional phrase is more than four words. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma. by pamthackery. Finish Editing. A list of items can be punctuated like this: We need … Here are a couple of examples: “Someday, I’d like to go on a cruise.” By “introductory phrase,” we mean any group of words used to frame or modify a sentence that isn’t a complete clause. The traditional rule is to use commas to separateintroductory elements from the main sentence. Comma after introductory words, phrases, clauses: unacceptable, obligatory or optional? Lv 7. Commas After Introductory Phrases Let’s start in broad terms. … Well, first off, this … When you use an introductory phrase in your writing, you’re signaling to the reader that the central message of the sentence is yet to come. Cacoethes Scribendi. Practice. This minimises punctuation in very short sentences. The 8 Parts of Speech: Examples and Rules, 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines, Tone vs. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. Commas After Introductory Phrases. When I first started learning about punctuation, I found out that you should always have commas after words such as "today," "sometimes," "yesterday," and so on.Today, I found a website that disagrees, it says: . While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. The introductory word in the sentence will frequently be an adverb.