Commas & Introductory Phrases

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A comma is a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

Back

You should use a comma after an introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause of the sentence.

Front

Example of a sentence with an introductory phrase and a comma.

Back

"After dinner, we went for a walk."

Front

What is an introductory phrase?

Back

An introductory phrase is a group of words that provides context or background information for the main part of the sentence.

Front

Which of the following sentences needs a comma? "Before the movie we had dinner."

Back

The sentence needs a comma after "movie": "Before the movie, we had dinner."

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

Commas help clarify meaning by indicating pauses, separating items, and organizing information.

Front

When do you NOT need a comma?

Back

You do not need a comma when the sentence is short and clear without it, such as "My favorite color is blue."

Front

How do you punctuate this sentence? "Yes I can help you."

Back

You should place a comma after "Yes": "Yes, I can help you."

Front

What is a common mistake when using commas?

Back

A common mistake is to place a comma where it is not needed, such as in "I like apples, and oranges." (no comma needed before 'and').

Front

What is the rule for commas in a list?

Back

Use commas to separate items in a list, such as "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas."