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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. ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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