Commas that Separate
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Commas with Introductory Phrases
For our purposes, we can consider an introductory phrase anything that precedes the main subject and verb of a sentence. They most common sort of introductory phrase is a prepositional phrase, but it may also be a noun phrase, adverbial phrase or other phrase. Some examples of introductory phrases that need separated by commas are:
In the event of fire, please use the stairs.
Having lost all our money on the first day, we really didn’t enjoy our trip to Las Vegas.
Commas with Introductory Dependent Clauses
Dependent clauses have no real meaning of their own. Instead, they provide additional information about the main clause of the sentence. Generally, dependent clauses establish a time frame or place a condition on the rest of the sentence. They usually start with words like although, after, because, if, unless, when, or while. For example:
While Rome burned, Nero played his fiddle.
If you don’t flip those pancakes soon, they will overcook on one side.
In the first example, the dependent clause establishes time frame; in the second, it establishes a condition.
Contrasts are fairly easy to spot. They usually come after the main clause and start with a word like despite, though, not or but. For example:
The meal was expensive, but worth it.
They worked well together, despite not getting along outside the office.
The thing to remember about contrasts is that they either take a sentence that starts out sounding negative and put a positive spin on it, as in our first example, or take a sentence that sounds positive and put a negative spin on it, as in our second example.
Commas with Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs—however, therefore, nevertheless –signal a shift or contrast between ideas in a sentence. They interrupt a thought and need separated. For example:
He said he felt fine. Nevertheless, he still looked pale.
The truth, however, is seldom pretty.
Conjunctive adverbs also provide contrasts, so if you remember that contrasts need to be separated by commas, you will remember that conjunctive adverbs need separated as well.
An absolute phrase is generally a noun and a participle that modifies the noun. Once you learn to recognize them, absolute phrases are very easy to spot. For example:
The motion approved, the committee adjourned for lunch.
All things considered, the untimely death of Hank Williams is perhaps the greatest tragedy in the history of country music.
Remember that a participle is a verb with an –ed ending added so that it behaves like a noun. This may help you identify absolute phrases.
Commas that separate interactive exercises
Commas that separate printable exercise
Questions
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