✨ Lesson 3: Commas after Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses
Good writing has variety. One way to make your sentences more interesting is to begin them with an introductory1 element2. When we do this, we need to use a comma to separate it from the main part of the sentence.
The Golden Rule
When a sentence begins with an introductory word, phrase, or clause, place a comma ( , ) after it, just before the main clause begins.
1. After Introductory Words
These are often transition words3 or adverbs.
- Yesterday, I visited the Angkor National Museum.
- Luckily, we found a tuk-tuk driver who spoke English.
- First, we will buy our tickets.
2. After Introductory Phrases4
An introductory phrase is a group of words that sets the scene for the main action.
- In the morning, we watched the sunrise over Angkor Wat. (Prepositional Phrase)
- Near the Old Market, there are many excellent restaurants. (Prepositional Phrase)
- To avoid the crowds, you should visit the temples early. (Infinitive Phrase)
3. After Introductory Clauses5
You already know this rule from our lessons on conjunctions and conditionals! If the clause with 'when', 'if', 'because', or 'although' comes first, it needs a comma.
- When the tour finished, we were very tired.
- Because it was so hot, we drank a lot of water.
- Although the temple was beautiful, it was very crowded.
🧠 Practice Quiz: Add the Comma
Add a comma to these sentences where it is needed.
- Before you enter the temple you must buy a ticket.
→ Before you enter the temple, you must buy a ticket. - Unfortunately the museum was closed for a holiday.
→ Unfortunately, the museum was closed for a holiday. - At night Pub Street is very busy and loud.
→ At night, Pub Street is very busy and loud. - If you want to take a good photo wait for the morning light.
→ If you want to take a good photo, wait for the morning light.
📝 Homework: Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite each sentence so that it begins with the introductory phrase. Remember to add a comma!
Example: I will call you after I finish my work. → After I finish my work, I will call you.
1. We visited Banteay Srei temple in the afternoon.
→ ________________________________________________.
2. The tour was cancelled because the weather was bad.
→ ________________________________________________.
(Answers: 1. In the afternoon, we visited Banteay Srei temple. 2. Because the weather was bad, the tour was cancelled.)
Vocabulary Glossary
- Introductory: (Adjective) - ដែលនាំមុខ (dael noam'mŭk) - Coming at the beginning of something. ↩
- Element: (Noun) - ធាតុ (thĭət) - An essential part of something. ↩
- Transition Word: (Noun) - ពាក្យផ្លាស់ប្តូរ (peak phlah'bdaur) - A word or phrase that connects one idea to another (e.g., however, first, next). ↩
- Phrase: (Noun) - កន្សោម (kânsaom) - A small group of words that act as a unit in a sentence. ↩
- Clause: (Noun) - ឃ្លា (khlēa) - A group of words containing a subject and a verb, forming part of a sentence. ↩