Commas

1. Commas Use a comma after introductory words Pasco-Hernando Community College Tutorial Series

2. Commas after Introductory Words There are four rules for using commas in sentences: • Before a Coordinating Conjunction - FANBOYS • Items, Adjectives in a Series • After Introductory Words • To Separate Out Unnecessary Words There are also rules to separate signal tags from quotations and for standard usage such as in numbers, dates, and addresses. However, these are special situations.

3. Commas after Introductory Words This tutorial covers the rule about when to use commas after introductory words. • Before a Coordinating Conjunction - FANBOYS • Items, Adjectives in a Series • After Introductory Words • To Separate Out Unnecessary Words

4. Commas after Introductory Words Introductory words are words that come before (introduce) an independent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence.

5. Commas after Introductory Words Introductory words may be one word: • Today, there will be a new assignment. • Here, you will see the old design. • Then, the buses ran on schedule. See how what follows the introductory word is a word group that can stand alone as a sentence.

6. Commas after introductory words Introductory words may be a phrase. A phrase is a group of words without a subject and verb. • Today or tomorrow, there will be a new assignment. • Here on the flyer, you will see the old design. • Until then, the buses ran on schedule.

7. Commas after Introductory Words Introductory words may be a dependent clause. A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb which cannot stand on its own as a sentence. • If you can finish the work today or tomorrow, there will be a new assignment. • Where there are shadows here on the flyer, you will see the old design.

8. Commas after Introductory Words Introductory words must come before an independent clause, a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence: • Today, there will be a new assignment. • Here, you will see the old design. • Today or tomorrow, there will be a new assignment. • Here on the flyer, you will see the old design.

9. Commas after Introductory Words More examples of : Introductory words must come before an independent clause (a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence): • If you can finish the work today or tomorrow, there will be a new assignment. • Where there are shadows here on the flyer, you will see the old design.

10. Commas after introductory words Introductory words • are not part of the independent clause. • do not include the subject or verb of the independent clause. • are not necessary to the main meaning of the sentence

11. Commas after introductory words Introductory words do not have to be at the beginning of a sentence. • an independent clause can exist at the end of a sentence. Here’s an example: The earthquake left thousands without shelter, and adding to their misery, the snow began to fall.

12. Commas after Introductory Words Some texts say that a comma is not necessary after a single introductory word or a brief introductory phrase as long as the meaning of the sentence is clear without the comma. However, it is generally not considered an error in academic papers to use the comma after all introductory words. It could be considered an error to omit it. The best approach is to use a comma after all introductory words.

13. Commas after Introductory Words More examples of commas after introductory words. Because of the rain, she closed all the windows. In the event of a fire, people should leave the building immediately. Without any warning whatsoever, the man was involved in an accident. As a result of the accident , the man had to be hospitalized, but because of his heart condition, he could not be have the operation he needed.

14. Commas after Introductory Words When introductory words end with an end quotation mark, the comma should go before the end quotation mark and not after it: In “The Most Dangerous Game,” the hunter becomes the hunted.

15. Commas after Introductory Words Practice exercise. Place a comma after any introductory words. Answers are on next page. During her childhood she enjoyed going to the beach with her mother. Many young people today enjoy a variety of recreational activities that were not available years ago. Cars offer many more options for travel and work than for the previous generation. As a result of practice the piano student was able to play many different selections. In “The Lottery” Mr. Warner warned everyone about the dangers of discontinuing the lottery.

16. Commas after Introductory Words Answers to the practice exercise on previous page: During her childhood, she enjoyed going to the beach with her mother. Many young people todayenjoy a variety of recreational activities that were not available years ago. No introductory words Cars offer many more options for travel and work than for the previous generation. No introductory words As a result of practice, the piano student was able to play many different selections. In “The Lottery,” Mr. Warner warned everyone about the dangers of discontinuing the lottery.