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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?
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__X_ 1. As the boat turned about a dozen dolphins began to follow it. |
missing comma after introductory clause ending with turned |
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__C_ 2. Since we moved into town, our fuel bill has tripled. |
correct use of comma after introductory clause |
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__X_ 3. Having chosen nursing as a career Susan enrolled in many science courses. |
missing comma after introductory participial phrase ending with career |
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__C_ 4. Usually, I have time to eat breakfast. |
correct use of comma after introductory adverb |
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__C_ 5. From outside the twelve-mile fishing limits off the coast of Maine, a strange phenomenon has been reported. |
correct use of comma after combination of prepositional phrases |
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__X_ 6. When he was in high school he was known only as an athlete. |
missing comma after introductory clause ending with school |
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__C_ 7. Before you decide what courses to take, you should consider the amount of work you are willing to do. |
correct use of comma after introductory clause |
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__X_ 8. Nevertheless I do not want to meet him. |
missing comma after introductory transitional word Nevertheless |
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?
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__P_ 1. To give Jane a good look at the university, Mr. Benson drove up for the Day on Campus. |
introductory infinitive phrase |
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__C_ 2. Since the dog had started to run, a way to catch him had to be found. |
introductory clause |
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__P_ 3. Of course, the movie that I had rushed to see didn't start on time. |
introductory prepositional phrase |
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__N_ 4. Her secondhand car was in excellent condition when she bought it. |
no introductory element |
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__C_ 5. As I mentioned, the rules can be broken occasionally. |
introductory clause |
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__P_ 6. Having decided to eat only natural foods, he had to give up all of his favorite junk food snacks. |
introductory participial phrase |
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__P_ 7. To estimate the costs, he consulted a repairman by phone. |
introductory infinitive phrase |
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__N_ 8. To succeed in politics is not necessarily desirable. |
no introductory element (The infinitive phrase is the subject of the sentence.) |
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__P_ 9. Making up his mind quickly, Jared ordered lasagna while we were still reading the menu. |
introductory participial phrase |
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__C_ 10. However he tried to use the bottle opener, it wouldn't work. |
introductory clause (However is not a transitional word here but the first word of an introductory clause.) |
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