Place a comma after adverbs and other introductory words. 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. Example: My mom said, “Put some aloe on your sunburn.”. You can resume your game—or sentence—when you’re ready. Morgan is the Assistant Digital Managing Editor at Reader’s Digest. But while some authorities condone leaving out the comma if no confusion can result, others caution discretion as the better part of valor: The Longman Handbook: Sometimes the comma after an introductory word or word group is required; sometimes it is optional. Example: The big, hot sun had no mercy on my pale skin. Comma usage should rely on common sense, not contrary rules. Appositives give more information about something. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. Use a comma after an introductory dependent adverb clause An adverb clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. All Right Reserved. Until the morning fishing is out of the question. Most of you probably remember from your English classes something about putting a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Fortunately, no one in the bridal party was in that car. These kinds of adverbs require a comma after them. Chicago Style Workout 2, “Commas with Introductory Words and Phrases,” centers on sections 6.35–6.39 of CMOS. Hi, on rereading 6.25 I think it could be a bit clearer. Advanced editors might tackle the exercises cold; learners can study the related sections of the Manual before answering the questions. Therefore, consider commas after introductory adverbs of this sort to be a heavy spice, to be used sparingly. When an introductory adverbial element seems to modify the entire sentence and not just the verb or some single element in the rest of the sentence, put a comma after it. Example: When I went to the beach, I got a sunburn. Well is an introductory word that a comma should separate from the rest of the sentence. If you already know all of these comma rules, you’ll probably ace this tricky comma quiz. They often end in "-ly". Recommended to you based on your activity and what's popular • Feedback Now, make sure you never, ever say these words and phrases that make you sound stupid. If it’s being used as a conjunction, then go ahead and use a comma. Commas almost always follow phrases at the beginning of sentences; use the comma to separate the phrase from the independent clause. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not … Is it just me, or is the Penguin’s recommendation internally inconsistent? Some people prefer never to use the comma after an introductory phrase of Example: When I went to the … Also, use commas to separate each element in an address. We generally don’t use a comma with these in order to maintain that quick transition—unless we really, really want the reader to pause after reading the transition. As Lunsford and Connors write, “you’re never wrong if you do use a comma after an Watch out for these punctuation mistakes that even smart people make. Therefore, a comma should be placed before “obviously” when it comes after any introductory Therefore, Miss Grimshaw would not wonder the length of the introductory phrase, but ask if the writer wanted the reader to pause. League games were offering the final comma after introductory phrase or phrase. I managed to drop the crucial comma when I typed the sentence. But a comma is required with adverb clauses. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016 where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. I think It should be done for the sake of cultivating good habits alone. This is one of the comma rules that can cause some controversy. Except when you don’t. It will be corrected. Advanced editors might tackle the exercises cold; learners can study the related sections of the Manual before answering the questions. Unlike some of the other sources, the OWL gives us a clue as to what we may consider “brief”: “a single phrase of fewer than five words.”. The rules listed above tell the reader where a comma may be used. Example: Therefore, he didn't say a word. After writing the post, I’ve decided to opt for an always-use-the-comma policy. Introductory Adverb Prepositional Phrases Use a comma after an introductory adverb prepositional phrase unless it is very short (3-4 words) and is not likely to be misunderstood. Thanks for writing and sharing it. Grammar Introductory words, like introductory phrases, require a comma. Consider the below examples of sentences containing properly placed and omitted commas: Always. The comma often reflects the place where an oral reader would take a breath. If the negation occurs at the end of the sentence, you still need to separate it with a comma. Since it’s in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the appositive need a comma. If starting a sentence with an introductory word or phrase then, yes, a comma would be required. Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up. Meanwhile, as a preposition, an object needs to be placed after “of” which would always be any word acting as a noun and commas are not required at all. Comma after an introductory phrase beginning with “in” and containing a list 1 Are words such as “today” and “yesterday” introductory words or adverbial phrases? There is some leeway with prepositional phrases. Example: The temperature outside felt like it was 235,000 degrees. The two independent clauses in this sentence are “I went to the beach” and “I got a sunburn.” The coordinating conjunction is “and.” Other coordinating conjunctions can be: but, for, or, nor, so, yet, and. The OWL advice is arbitrary and often inappropriate (and I have told them so). Introductory statements may be words, phrases, fragments, and dependent clauses which are set off with commas at the end. Thus I told him. Using a comma is like hitting the pause button on a sentence. Example: No, I did not apply enough sunscreen at the beach. Use a comma after an introductory adverb clause and, often, after an introductory phrase (unless the phrase is very short): After the hospital had completed its fund-raising campaign, an anonymous donor contributed an additional $10,000. When you are uncertain, stay on the safe side: use a comma. 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. When I write, my goal is to communicate. Commas with Adverbs - Writing English Use a comma after certain adverbs: however, in fact, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, still, instead, too (meaning 'also'). Use a comma after an introductory adverb prepositional phrase unless it is very short (3-4 words) and is not likely to be misunderstood. If I were you, I would research the case thoroughly. A third basic rule for using commas requires using commas after an introductory adverb that starts a sentence. Use a comma to set apart nonrestrictive material. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. This is how to properly use an Oxford comma. Use a comma because the introductory prepositional phrase is more than four words. On the flip side, no post-comma is attached when it acts as a general adverb premodifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Examples include "quickly", "frequently", "slowly". When do you use a Comma? Example. Sadly, the old church was completely destroyed. You Can Drop the Comma after a One-word "Introduction" When a fronted adverbial is just one word (e.g., "Yesterday," "Here," "Now"), it is a common practice to drop the comma. Example: Friday, June 8, 2018, was a great day to go to the beach. An adverb usually answers the question "how" and ends in the letters "-ly." Perhaps I should annotate that: In the overwhelming majority of cases, follow an introductory phrase at the beginning of a sentence with a comma. Second, using the comma is never wrong, even if not necessary, so by always using the comma, the punctuation is consistent. It depends! Use a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence. Gordon, I think you mean arbitrary, not contrary. After introductory words, we use a comma to separate the introductory word from the independent clause. (Introductory dependent clause.) The Chicago Manual of Style also indicates that the comma after an introductory adverb phrase may be left out: An introductory adverbial phrase is often set off by a comma but need not be unless misreading is likely. Commas After Introductory Phrases Let’s start in broad terms. Use a Comma in these situations: After a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence; After introductory adverbs and phrases like although, interestingly, and in fact. For example: “The address of the beach is 880 South Benson Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824.”. If I were you, I would research the casedependent When my dog needs exercise, I take her for a long walk on the beach. And if you use a sentence adverb to introduce a sentence, you will need to use a comma after the introductory word. I’m another one who favors playing it safe and using the comma. After an initial/introductory adverb that modifies a whole sentence or independent clause. You should know, though, that not putting a comma after an introductory adverb, whatever the adverb, is somewhat controversial grammatically. Why 5 words and not 4 or 6? But they really are neither arbitrary nor contrary. This new idiom came to my mind when I was reflecting on your thought-provoking article. Shorter adverbial phrases are less likely to merit a comma than longer ones. Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up. (Introductory dependent clause.) Good article. You can see that they How many commas should be in a sentence? If it’s being used as a conjunction, then go ahead and use a comma. Fortunately, no one in the bridal party was in that car. If these adverbs I formerly put a comma after every introductory word or adverb phrase of any length, but I’ve begun leaving it out unless I think its absence will create reader double take, as in the following: Before eating the members held the business portion of the meeting. And a comma is always required to prevent misreading. Appositives act as synonyms for a … Subscribers get access to our archives with 800+ interactive exercises! This is a common problem in our workplace, too, and something I frequently debate with the senior editor. Use a comma after an introductory dependent adverb clause. But consider this example from the link in JIP's answer: Often, the introductory adverb modifies just the verb, as does the word "often"in this sentence. Also use a comma after a city-state combination within a sentence. A comma after “apparently” is used when it acts as a sentence-initial disjunct and when it is used as the last word either in an introductory expression or parenthetical statement. A third basic rule for using commas requires using commas after an introductory adverb that starts a sentence. If the attribution comes after the quote, then place the comma inside the quotation marks at the end. For example: At 4 o'clock, I'll jump in the river. These introductory phrases demand to be set off: Before eating, the members held the business portion of the meeting. Conjunctive adverbs are often used as introductory terms; in this case, these words should be followed by a comma for clarity: Therefore, all of the test animals were re-examined. An example of a comma used in this way is as follows: "Unsurprisingly, the man with no shoes burned his feet on the hot sidewalk." Example: I’m going to the beach today, Mom. If just the month and year are mentioned in the sentence there does not need to be a comma. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence. Rule: Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. comma after 'often' [adverb] / with two introductory clauses comma after 'Often' in the beginning of sentence comma after 'only' [conjunction]: Only, a few years later he calls After the hospital had completed its fund-raising campaign, an anonymous donor contributed an additional $10,000. The Chicago Manual of Style also indicates that the comma after an introductory adverb phrase may be left out: An introductory adverbial phrase is often set off by a comma but need not be unless misreading is likely. Introductory adverbs are individual adverbs or adverb clauses at the beginning of a sentence. Introductory clauses often begin with words like: after, although, because, before, if, since, until, and when. For example: “Put some aloe on your sunburn,” said my mom.
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