Welcome to the Purdue OWL

Exercise : Commas after Introductions Exercise 1

A. If the following sentences are correctly punctuated with introductory commas, mark a C on the line to the left of the sentence. If there is an error, put an X on the line and circle the error. Do you know why each sentence is correct or incorrect?

____ 1. As the boat turned about a dozen dolphins began to follow it.

____ 2. Since we moved into town, our fuel bill has tripled.

____ 3. Having chosen nursing as a career Susan enrolled in many science courses.

____ 4. Usually, I have time to eat breakfast.

____ 5. From outside the twelve-mile fishing limits off the coast of Maine, a strange phenomenon has been reported.

____ 6. When he was in high school he was known only as an athlete.

____ 7. Before you decide what courses to take, you should consider the amount of work you are willing to do.

____ 8. Nevertheless I do not want to meet him.

B. Add introductory commas where they are needed in the following sentences. Can you identify whether the introductory element, if any, is a clause, phrase, or word? If it is a phrase, what kind of phrase is it?

____ 1. To give Jane a good look at the university Mr. Benson drove up for the Day on Campus.

____ 2. Since the dog had started to run a way we had to scramble to catch him.

____ 3. Of course the movie that I had rushed to see didn't start on time.

____ 4. Her secondhand car was in excellent condition when she bought it.

____ 5. As I mentioned the rules can be broken occasionally.

____ 6. Having decided to eat only natural foods he had to give up all of his favorite junk food snacks.

____ 7. To estimate the costs he consulted a repairman by phone.

____ 8. To succeed in politics is not necessarily desirable.

____ 9. Making up his mind quickly Jared ordered lasagna while we were still reading the menu.

____ 10. However he tried to use the bottle opener it wouldn't work.

C. Write your own sentences with introductory elements, and punctuate them correctly.

1. After ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

2. To save ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

3. If ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4. Often __________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

5. Hearing ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

7. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

8. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

9. ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Go to Answers