Introductory infinitive phrases act as adverbs. It may also include a direct object of the verb. Introductory Words: Introductory words are usually adverbs or interjections that provide an introduction to a sentence or paragraph. If the phrase is a nice addition to the sentence but is not necessary for clarity, you should use a comma: However, if the introductory appositive phrase is necessary to the sentence, you should not use a comma. In the sentence "A great composer, Wagner liked to go to bed early," "a great composer" still describes Wagner, but it has nothing to do with the topic of the sentence: the time he liked to go to bed. When you start with an appositive phrase, you often need to use a comma after it. Here are … Each type serves a distinct purpose within the sentence. Introductory phrases also set the stage for the main action of the sentence, but they are not complete clauses. IntroductoryIntroductory Phrases andPhrases and ClausesClauses 2. An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that describes another noun. Example: After party, they went to sleep. Introductory phrases and clauses 1. Mary had seen the movie twice already. When you see a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence, this signals an introductory phrase, and you know a comma is coming at the end of that subordinate phrase, as illustrated in these examples: Because his favorite team lost the Super Bowl, he would not speak to anyone about the game for two years. They contain supporting or descriptive information about the rest of the sentence's subject, main idea or main action. A participial phrase describes a noun. First, the writer may not accurately predict what will be clear or confusing to the reader, so using the comma will reduce the potential for confusion. Like an infinitive phrase, always set this introductory phrase off with a comma: An absolute phrase also adds information to the main clause, providing context for the reader to interpret the rest of the sentence. Here are some examples of sentences with introductory prepositional phrases: "After work, I like to go out for dinner." Consider whether the phrase adds important clarifying information about the subject. Let us know , and we can address them in future tips! All Rights Reserved, Introductory phrase horse galloping quickly. Phrases don't have both a subject and a verb that are separate from the subject and verb in the main clause of the sentence. Realizing that it was her last meeting with Jared Amy decided to say the words she always wanted to. Comma to Set Off Introductory Phrases Use commas to set off an introductory phrase that is four or more words. You can see the proper punctuation in these examples: If an introductory prepositional phrase is made up of fewer than five words and does not require a pause, the comma is optional. We hope these examples will help you be more confident in your use of introductory clauses. Introductory phrases set the stage for the rest of your sentence, giving the reader valuable information about what is happening and why. At home we eat ice cream for dessert. Commas and Introductory Clauses or Phrases This Grammar.com article is about Commas and Introductory Clauses or Phrases — enjoy your reading! For example: Checking methodically, we never miss a mistake. This list is not exhaustive but will provide you with ideas of the types of phrases you can use. X claims Examples: In the middle of the What Are Linking Verbs & Predicate Words? Introductory phrases Use introductory phrases to tell the reader what the author thinks or does in their text. “The other day, I met an old friend.” When writing a sentence, sometimes you may wish to set the scene for your statement by using an introductory phrase. It helps the reader understand more about the main clause. This is because you pause after the introductory phrase when you say the sentence aloud. However, like all aspects of the English language, there are a few exceptions. An introductory absolute phrase requires a comma to set it off from the main clause, as you can see in these examples: Completely oblivious to the rain , the children continued to play outside. . Gerunds are not commonly used as introductory phrases, but participles are. For example, here are two prepositional phrases that work as adjectives, since they describe the objects in the sentences: The team, with the blue stripes, won the game. To stay top of the class, you have to study hard every day. Here, you may find a few examples of proper using a comma after the introductory clauses: After returning home from Paris Evan was too excited to think about his work. If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. Here “after party” is Here are some examples of sentences with introductory prepositional phrases: "After work, I like to go out for dinner." Introductory Words, Clauses, and Phrases Introductory Clause Examples: Out of all the things that can be done online, Math homework should not be one of them As soon as I got home from school, I passed out on the couch. The word "to" followed by the base form of a verb is called an infinitive, and it is used to talk about the verb in the abstract, not connected with a subject. "After work" is an adverb phrase telling when. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater. The prepositional phrase, ‘Against his better judgment or logical reasoning’ needs a comma, since it contains more than four words. 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. There are many types of introductory phrases: 1. See how the meaning stays the same? You might enjoy a massage. A participial phrase can be used as an introductory Always punctuate with a comma after using an introductory word. Introductory phrases are similar to introductory clauses but are not complete clauses because they do not have both a verb and a subject. How to Start Sentences With Adjective Phrases. I encourage you to play around and craft your own unique messages. Learn when and where to use a comma after an introductory phrase and how to make your writing stand out with just the right words. "To Judy, he gave a gold bracelet." It is correct to use a comma and also correct to leave it out, as you can see in the example below: Using an introductory infinitive phrase also provides information to the reader, often about why something is happening. Knowing the five types of introductory phrases and what purpose each serves can give you some ideas for writing sentences with introductory phrases. Sometimes, these introductory phrases start with “the” instead of “a” or “an.” If the phrase does provide important clarifying information, don’t use a comma. We can add introductory phrases at the start of sentences to provide additional information before the main clause. Verb Phrases A verb phrase consists of a verb and all its modifiers. Introductory phrases give your writing a varied sentence structure and a sophisticated style. First, what is aFirst, what is a phrase?phrase? Content Indirect Questions Like an infinitive phrase, it may have a direct object. "Next door" is an adverb phrase telling where. The introductory phrase is correctly followed by a comma: You should always use a comma after an introductory infinitive phrase, as you can see in these examples: A participial phrase is another form of verb phrase. You can see how this works in this introductory phrase example: Galloping quickly, the horse reached the other side of the pasture in less than a minute. Read these examples twice, once with the introductory words and once without. Participle phrases are different from gerund phrases in that participles act as adjectives and gerunds act as nouns. "To Judy, he gave a gold bracelet." Use them as introductory phrases to give more information about the circumstances in the main clause. Because she had seen the movie twice already, Mary was reluctant to accept Essentially, they prepare your readers for what the sentence is … Learn more about comma usage rules to become a confident writer. Use introductory infinitive phrases to describe the purpose of the main verb in your sentence. If there are two or more phrases and/or clauses before the subject, only put a comma after the last one. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and includes the preposition's object. Mary was reluctant to accept John’s invitation. The prepositional phrase ‘At home’ doesn’t need a comma, since it’s short and clear. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. As the initial examples demonstrate, introductory phrases with fewer than 5 words may need that comma to simplify the interpretation. During the production of the film, the director nearly quit. In an introductory prepositional phrase, the sentence starts with a preposition and a few words that follow it. Before you learn how to correctly use and punctuate an introductory phrase, you need to have a clear understanding of what one is and why you would use it in a sentence. In the sentence, "A great composer, Wagner wrote famous operas," "a great composer" is an appositive phrase describing Wagner. You have been sleeping for a long time. It can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb. An infinitive phrase begins with the word “to” and includes a verb. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education. Prepositional Phrases It begins with a preposition and includes it’s object. What Is the Difference Between Parts of Speech & Parts of a Sentence? These examples can clear up any confusion: In general, it’s usually correct to use a comma after an introductory phrase. Introductory phrases to use and their contexts To assist you with effectively supporting your statements, we have organized the introductory phrases below according to their function. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. In contrast, this introductory clause example includes both a subject and a verb: Because the horse was galloping quickly, he reached the other side of the pasture in less than a minute. The introductory phrases in the following examples are participial phrases, verb phrases headed by the –ing or the –en form of the verb. These phrases also provide location and other helpful information. Here are examples: He was waiting for the rain to stop. If it does, it’s called an introductory clause. In the sentence, "To keep the dog, you must prove you can take care of it," "to keep the dog" is an infinitive phrase. -- Created using Powtoon -- Free sign up at http://www.powtoon.com/youtube/ -- Create animated videos and animated presentations for free. Participles are verbs ending in "-ing" or "-ed" that act as adjectives, and participial phrases are composed of participles and the other words that describe the participle's action. Consider using the following after you have given the author's name (and the year or notation): X states that . Are there other phrases like this that are confusing? Are there other phrases like this that are confusing? Clauses, phrases or words that provide extra information. Examples of introductory words: Meanwhile, however, therefore, thus, moreover. The prepositional phrase adds information to the main clause, often about a location or timing. Introductory Phrases & Commas Home Punctuation Introductory Phrases & Commas Introductory clauses, phrases and words are: Clauses, phrases or words that are not sentences. Absolute phrases can be placed anywhere in a sentence. It has all the pieces of an independent clause except the verb "to be." Introductory phrases and clauses John invited Mary to a movie.
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