Here is a basic cheatsheet of when you need a comma after an introductory element (i.e., phrase or clause) Always use a comma if the sentence could be misinterpreted otherwise. If there’s a chance the reader would misunderstand your sentence with an introductory phrase, then use a ...
(Guideline 1) When a participle phrase is at the front of a sentence, offset it with a comma and put the noun being modified immediately after the comma. Removing his glasses, the professor shook his head with disappointment. (Guideline 2) When a participle phrase follows the noun it's...
When an infinitive phrase introduces a main clause, separate the two sentence components with a comma. Here is the pattern: Infinitive Phrase + , + Main Clause. Read this example: To avoid burning another bag of popcorn, Brendan pressed his nose against the microwave door, sniffing ...
a prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and follows with the object.Prepositionsare words likeabout,across,after,for, andin. A prepositional phrase also includes any words that modify the object of the preposition.
When an adverbial phrase starts a sentence, it is good practice to offset it with a comma to show where the phrase ends and the main clause starts. This aids reading. If your adverbial phrase is short (say, 1-4 words in length), there is less need for the comma, which can now be...
When a participle phrase introduces a main clause, separate the two sentence components with a comma. This is the pattern: Participle Phrase + , + Main Clause. Read this example: Glazed with barbecue sauce, the rack of ribs lay nestled next to a pile of sweet coleslaw. When a ...
with cinnamon on top in the microwave b. ObjectsThe second part of a prepositional phrase is called the object of a preposition. It has an object which can be one word, but is usually longer. An object of a preposition is also a word or phrase which gives a preposition its meaning. It...
When a transitive verb is in the passive voice, on the other hand, it is quite common for a prepositional phrase to immediately follow it. Consider the passive version of the first example: “My cat was taken to the library.” Similarly, the second example also works with this structure:...
We can see this by replacing the phrase with a noun and seeing that it does not make sense: Alcohol is bad for your health. (sentence still makes sense) Alcohol, Tom and Jim became more raucous. (sentence no longer makes sense) Tip: If the phrase is followed by a comma, then it ...
It’s set off from the main clause of the sentence “Haley walks into the room” with a comma. Also, if we take out the participial phrase, the sentence still makes sense. The phrase “turning the light on” describes Haley, instead of being described like a gerund would....