Commas After Introductory Elements
Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence, including introductory words, phrases, and clauses
What a learner can do afterwards
- Place commas after introductory adverbs such as 'However' or 'Therefore' at the start of sentences
- Use commas after introductory prepositional phrases like 'In the morning' or 'After the game'
- Punctuate introductory dependent clauses correctly such as 'When the bell rang, we left'
1 · Read
You already know how to move a time phrase like 'after lunch' to the front of a sentence. Many sentences open this way with a word, phrase, or clause first. A comma right after that opening shows where it ends, so a reader can follow the main sentence.
Look at this sentence: However, the crowd stayed quiet. The word "However" is the opening part. A comma goes right after it, then the main sentence, "the crowd stayed quiet," takes over.
Longer openings follow the same rule. In "After the final whistle, the fans cheered," the phrase "After the final whistle" is the opening part, so the comma comes right after it. The rule also covers a whole opening clause, like "When the bell rang, we packed up our books."
Quick test: read the opening part by itself. If it sounds like a beginning that needs the rest of the sentence to finish the thought, such as "Therefore" or "In the morning," put the comma right where that opening part ends.
A word, phrase, or clause that opens a sentence gets a comma right after it, before the main sentence continues.
2 · Watch
Take it off screen
Where it sits
This opens up
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
24 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.