• Commas After Introductory Phrases

     

    Prepositional phrases usse a comma to separate a group of prepositional phrases when the phrases come at the beginning of a sentence. Remember, you could move this phrase to the end of the sentence and the sentence would be complete and clear. 

     

    Examples

     

    Under the kitchen table, the dog cowered.   or   The dog cowered under the kitchen table.

    Under the pile of clothes, we found his wallet.    or   We found his wallet under the pile of clothes.

    On the sand of the beach by the inlet, we relaxed in the sun.   or   We relaxed in the sun on the sand of the beach by the inlet.



     

    Participial phrases

    The introductory phrases in the following examples are participial phrases, verb phrases headed by the –ing or the –en form of the verb. A participial phrase describes a noun. A participial phrase can be used as an introductory phrase when it modifies the subject of the sentence it introduces.

     

    Examples

    Laughing at his own joke, the comedian seemed full of himself.   

     

    Having stolen the car, the thief sped away from the police.