Using Commas in Introductory Clauses

​Using Commas in Introductory Clauses

​What Are Introductory Clauses?

• They provide background information for the main part of the sentence

• It does not express a complete thought so it is not a sentence and can’t stand alone

​How Do We Find the Introductory Clause?

• ​Introductory clauses start with words like after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, until, when, etc.

• A comma always follows the clause

• ​Ask yourself if the part of the sentence before the comma can move to the end of the sentence and still make sense? If the answer is YES, it is an introductory clause

​

​Examples

• ​If I ever moved to a new country, I would probably live in Italy.

• ​Because I took a nap in the afternoon, I could not fall asleep at night.

• Although winter is my least favorite season, I still enjoy watching snow fall.

​

Multiple Choice

What is the introductory clause in the sentence?

In the waiting room, I read a magazine article about baby elephants.

• In the waiting room

• In the waiting room I read

• In the waiting

• In the waiting room I read a magazine article

Multiple Choice

What is the introductory clause in the sentence?

Standing on the step stool, I could almost reach the cookie jar.

• Standing

• Standing on the step stool

• Standing on the step stool I could

• Standing on the

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the comma in the correct place?

• All, of a sudden the lights turned out.

• All of a sudden, the lights turned out.

• All of a sudden the lights, turned out.

• All of, a sudden the lights turned out.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the comma in the correct place?

• Even though I forgot to take out the trash my mom, let me go to the party.

• Even though, I forgot to take out the trash my mom let me go to the party.

• Even though I forgot, to take out the trash my mom let me go to the party.

• Even though I forgot to take out the trash, my mom let me go to the party.

Multiple Choice

Where should the comma go in this sentence?

Before the storm began I latched all of the windows tight.

• After "storm"

• After "began"

• After "I"

• After "before"

Multiple Choice

Where should the comma go in this sentence?

While the wind howled the dog hid in the bathroom.

• After "while"

• After "wind"

• After "hid"

• After "howled"

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the comma in the correct place?

• If you want dessert, you have to eat your dinner first.

• If you, want dessert you have to eat your dinner first.

• If you want dessert you have, to eat your dinner first.

• If, you want dessert you have to eat your dinner first.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the comma in the correct place?

• When it, is cold we have indoor recess.

• When it is cold we have, indoor recess.

• When it is cold, we have indoor recess.

• When, it is cold we have indoor recess.