Commas and Introductory Elements

​​Commas for introductory phrases

​​Colons in introducing a list.

Commas for introductory phrases and clauses

• An introductory clause or phrase tells background information for the main part of the sentence.

• To stay in shape for competition, athletes must exercise every day.

• If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas for introductory phrases correctly?

• After dinner I will bake cookies.

• After dinner, I will bake cookies.

• After, dinner I will bake cookies.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas for introductory phrases correctly?

• While I was eating, I watched Netflix on my phone.

• While I was eating I watched Netflix on my phone.

• While, I was eating I watched Netflix on my phone.

Commas

Are used to set off a person's name when directly addressing that person:

​Marcus, please open the window. Mom, can you look at my homework for me?

Multiple Choice

Select the correct answer.

• Keesha, what would you like for dinner?

• Keesha what would you like, for dinner?

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Mom, I need new shoes and clothes for school.

• Mom I need new shoes, and clothes for school.

• Mom I need, new shoes and clothes for school.

• Mom I need new shoes and clothes for school.

Commas and Introductory Elements

A commas is also used after an introductory word (yes, no, as usual, well, ..) at the beginning of a sentence.

Example: Yes, there is some ice cream left in the freezer.

Multiple Choice

Which is correctly punctuated?

• Yes experts use tests to determine personality traits.

• Yes, experts use tests to determine personality traits.

• Yes, experts use tests, to determine personality traits.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is punctuated properly?

• No I can't go out, tonight.

• No I can't go out tonight.

• No I can't, go out tonight.

• No, I can't go out tonight.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a correctly punctuated sentence with an introductory phrase?

• Because, the test is on block day we're reviewing today.

• Because the test is on block day we're reviewing today.

• Because the test is on block day, we're reviewing today.

• Because the test is on block day we're reviewing, today.

Multiple Choice

Which is correctly punctuated?

• Whenever I see your smiling face, I have to smile myself.

• Whenever I see your smiling face I have to smile myself.

• Whenever, I see your smiling face, I have to smile myself.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a correctly punctuated sentence with an introductory phrase?

• Hoping to make an A on her major Amanda studied her vocabulary.

• Hoping, to make an A on her major Amanda studied her vocabulary.

• Hoping to make an A on her major Amanda, studied her vocabulary.

• Hoping to make an A on her major, Amanda studied her vocabulary.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a correctly punctuated sentence?

• Although Wolfgang Mozart only lived to be 35 he wrote 800 musical compositions.

• Although Wolfgang Mozart only lived to be 35, he wrote 800 musical compositions.

• Although, Wolfgang Mozart only lived to be 35 he wrote 800 musical compositions.

1. Use colons to introduce lists

• The words before the colon must be a complete sentence on its own or must introduce a list.

• The words after the colon belong in a list of items or things

• This is what I need at the grocery store: fruit snacks, pickles, and potato chips.

• I need you to complete the following: sweep the floor, wash the dishes, and take out the trash.

Multiple Choice

Where should the colon go? You may be required to bring many things sleeping bags, pans, utensils, and warm clothing.

• be:

• things:

• bring:

• No colon

Multiple Choice

Where does the colon go? I need an assistant who can do the following input data, write reports, and complete tax forms.

• assistant:

• do:

• following:

• No colon

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• Here are the three books that I have read; Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

• Here are the three books that I have read: Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

• Here are the three books that I have read, Goldie Locks, and 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

• Here are the three books that I have read Goldie Locks and the 3 Bears, Houdini, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is written correctly?

• The following items are needed for school: paper, pencils, White-Out, and index cards.

• The following items are needed for school: paper pencils White-Out, and index cards.

• The following items are needed for school paper, pencils White-Out, and index cards.

• The following items are needed for school, paper pencils, White-Out, and index cards.

Multiple Choice

How should the following sentence be corrected?

As I woke up to go to school I made sure to have the essentials my phone backpak and iPad.

• As I woke up to go to school, I made sure to have the essentials: my phone, backpak, and iPad.

• As I woke up to go to school, I made sure to have the essentials, my phone, backpak and iPad.

• As I woke up to go to school I made sure to have the essentials, my phone, backpak and, iPad.

• As I woke up to go to school: I made sure to have the essentials, my phone, backpak, and iPad.