How to Punctuate Introductory Phrases

How to Punctuate Introductory Phrases How to Punctuate Introductory Phrases How to Punctuate Introductory Phrases By Mark Nichol With a comma. Always. Except when you don’t. Perhaps I should annotate that: In the overwhelming majority of cases, follow an introductory phrase at the beginning of a sentence with a comma. Adverbial Conjunctions Eight classes of adverbial conjunctions exist, and a comma should generally follow one in every class. Each of these sentences includes an example of one such part of speech from each class: Addition: â€Å"Finally, I reached the station.† Comparison: â€Å"Similarly, chickens are omnivores.† Concession: â€Å"Naturally, you’ll want to see for yourself.† (Note, however, that however isn’t always an adverbial conjunction. In this sentence, it’s an adverb modifying important: â€Å"However important you think it is, I’m not giving him the message right now.†) Contrast: â€Å"Nevertheless, he didn’t go into detail.† Emphasis: â€Å"Of course, she’ll be there, too.† (An exception can be made for this particular phrase: There’s a subtle but distinct difference between â€Å"Of course, you’ll want to do it your way† and â€Å"Of course you’ll want to do it your way.† In the first sentence, your is stressed; in the second, course, perhaps accompanied by a sneer, is emphasized, with a secondary stress on your and likely an exclamation point to signal emotion.) Example: â€Å"For instance, the floor was swept but not mopped.† Summary: â€Å"In conclusion, I recommend that we approve the measure.† Time sequence: â€Å"At last, we saw their car approaching.† (Some writing and editing guides suggest that short introductory phrases don’t require commas; often, such brief modifying phrases involve time: â€Å"Yesterday I saw a ghost,† for example, or â€Å"In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.† I recommend, though, use of commas in such cases. Otherwise, the exception to the rule is rather arbitrary; how long does a short phrase need to be before it merits a comma? And why omit commas in some cases and include others?) Hence, Still, Then, and Thus Another class of words may or may not be followed by a comma depending on subtle differences: â€Å"Hence the name,† but â€Å"Hence, I was back where I had started.† â€Å"Still the waters raged though the rain had ceased,† but â€Å"Still, I try one more time.† â€Å"Then I tried to start the car again,† but â€Å"Then, I would have acted differently.† â€Å"Thus we are back where we started,† but â€Å"Thus, I concede the point.† Infinitive Phrases â€Å"To get there, turn right at the second intersection.† Participial Phrases â€Å"Under the circumstances, I cannot allow it.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What Is Irony? (With Examples)Whenever vs. When EverTypes of Ignorance