View source for Does an introductory clause or phrase need a comma after it?

'''"''Does an introductory clause or phrase need a comma after it?''"'''


[[File:Comma.jpg]]
(Image: Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center,
Northern Illinois University) 



'''It is appropriate to use a comma after an introductory''' a) '''clause,''' b) '''phrase,''' '''or''' c) '''word that comes before the main clause:'''


a) Because it was snowing, the flight was delayed.  

b) Having completed her work, she went to bed.   

c) Yes, you should eat a healthy breakfast.


Use a comma to set off an introductory clause beginning with these frequently used words: ''after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while''.


Use a comma following an introductory phrase that includes: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinitive infinitive] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participle participle] phrases, nonessential [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apposition appositive] phrases, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_construction absolute] phrases,and long [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adpositional_phrase prepositional] phrases.


A comma should be used after an introductory prepositional phrase to avoid misreading:
''In all, four students failed the class.''


In addition, single introductory words should also be followed by a comma: ''however, well, yes, unfortunately'', etc.


W.W. Norton lists a stylistic '''exception''': "To accelerate the pace of their sentences, writers sometimes skip the comma after an introductory adverb or short introductory phrase" (p. 455).<ref>[http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/waor/CH29.pdf W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.]</ref> 


==See Also==

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNoSepSmN3Y "Commas After Introductory Clauses and Phrases"] (video)

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91yGM9r0alI "Using a Comma After an Introductory Element"] (video)


==References==

<references/>


==External Links==
(Additional Sources)


[http://www.apsstylemanual.org/oldmanual/mechanics/commas.htm APS Online Style Manual]

[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/607/ Purdue OWL]