We use commas to make our sentences clear but it's also important to not overdo it. Sometimes a comma can be necessary in a sentence after an introductory phrase.
An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn’t have its own subject and verb. We use it to stage the main part of the sentence. There are different types of introductory phrases, including prepositional phrases and appositive phrases.
A prepositional phrase is used to modify a verb or a noun and is a group of words consisting of a preposition, its object, and any other words that modify that object.
An appositive phrase follows another noun or noun phrase and provides information that further identifies or defines it. Appositive phrases can be restrictive and nonrestrictive.
Prepositional Phrases
Rule 1: When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is optional.
Rule 2: If the introductory prepositional phrase is longer than four words, we use a comma.
Appositive Phrases
Rule 3: We use commas to frame nonrestrictive appositive phrases, i.e., those providing nonessential information about the noun or the noun phrase.
Rule 4: We don't use commas with restrictive appositive phrases that provide essential information about the noun or the noun phrase.
Quiz
1/4Choose the correct punctuation. Before the cinema let's get some tacos.