When Do You Put A Comma After An Introductory Prepositional Phrase

What Is an Introductory Phrase?

An introductory phrase is like a clause, simply it doesn't accept its own subject and verb; information technology relies on the subject area and verb in the main clause. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. When you use an introductory phrase in your writing, you lot're signaling to the reader that the central message of the sentence is yet to come.

Introductory clause: After the meeting was over, the staff was exhausted. Introductory phrase: While getting ready for bed, Susan heard a knock at the door.

There are several types of introductory phrases, including prepositional phrases and appositive phrases. Sometimes a comma is necessary after an introductory phrase. Other times, the comma is optional, and there are also times when a comma should not be used. Information technology is important to annotation that a comma should always be used if the sentence could exist misinterpreted otherwise.

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When to Utilize Commas After Introductory Prepositional Phrases

When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma. Consider the below examples of sentences containing properly placed and omitted commas:

Short prepositional phrase:

Longer phrase:

When your introductory phrase really contains ii prepositional phrases, it'due south best to use a comma. In the examples below, the introductory phrase contains two prepositional phrases: "during the production" and "of the film."

When to Use Commas Afterwards Restrictive Appositive Phrases

When the introductory phrase is a restrictive appositive phrase, don't utilise a comma to carve up information technology from the main clause. An appositive phrase is a phrase that renames the subject of the judgement. For example, the highlighted phrase in the judgement below is an appositive phrase because it renames the subject area:

In that location are two types of appositive phrases: restrictive and nonrestrictive. A restrictive appositive phrase is i that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. A nonrestrictive appositive phrase isn't necessary only simply adds information to the sentence. The example appositive phrase above is nonrestrictive because the sentence still makes sense without the phrase; it simply doesn't include as much information. The sentence below, nevertheless, contains a restrictive appositive:

In this case, the appositive is restrictive because it is necessary for the reader to know which opera singer had myopia. Sometimes, a restrictive appositive phrase acts equally an introductory phrase. In these instances, don't utilise a comma to split up the phrase from the subject that it renames.

The rules regarding commas after introductory phrases are complex, but with practice, applying them will get instinctual.

Source: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/commas-after-introductory-phrases/#:~:text=When%20an%20introductory%20prepositional%20phrase,four%20words%2C%20use%20a%20comma.

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