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Answers to Exercises: Commas after Introductions
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.
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missing comma after introductory clause ending
with turned
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__C_ 2. Since we moved into town, our fuel bill has tripled.
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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.
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missing comma after introductory participial phrase
ending with career
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__C_ 4. Usually, I have time to eat breakfast.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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correct use of comma after introductory clause
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__X_ 8. Nevertheless I do not want to meet him.
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missing comma after introductory transitional word
Nevertheless
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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.
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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.
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introductory clause
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__P_ 3. Of course, the movie that I had rushed to see didn't
start on time.
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introductory prepositional phrase
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__N_ 4. Her secondhand car was in excellent condition when
she bought it.
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no introductory element
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__C_ 5. As I mentioned, the rules can be broken occasionally.
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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.
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introductory participial phrase
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__P_ 7. To estimate the costs, he consulted a repairman
by phone.
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introductory infinitive phrase
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__N_ 8. To succeed in politics is not necessarily desirable.
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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.
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introductory participial phrase
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__C_ 10. However he tried to use the bottle opener, it wouldn't
work.
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introductory clause (However is not a transitional
word here but the first word of an introductory clause.)
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