This document discusses introductory phrases and clauses. It begins by defining a phrase as a group of words without a subject or verb, and a clause as having both a subject and verb. Examples of each are provided. Readers are then asked to identify examples as phrases or clauses. The document continues explaining that introductory phrases and clauses are followed by commas in sentences, and provides rules for punctuation. It concludes by discussing run-on sentences and how to fix them using punctuation like periods, semicolons, or conjunctions.

1. IntroductoryIntroductory
Phrases andPhrases and
ClausesClauses

2. First, what is aFirst, what is a
phrase?phrase?
AA phrasephrase is a group of words thatis a group of words that does notdoes not
have a subject or a verb.have a subject or a verb.
For example:For example:
 Eating a peachEating a peach
 Under the teacher’s deskUnder the teacher’s desk
 After seeing the Taj MahalAfter seeing the Taj Mahal
 To buy a new phoneTo buy a new phone

3. What is a clause?What is a clause?
AA clauseclause is a group of words thatis a group of words that doesdoes
have both a subject and a verb.have both a subject and a verb.
For example:For example:
 After the rain stoppedAfter the rain stopped
 They studied for the testThey studied for the test
 I decided to go homeI decided to go home
 Since the children are sleepingSince the children are sleeping
 The cage door was openThe cage door was open

4. Identify these asIdentify these as
either phrases oreither phrases or
clauses:clauses:
1.1. Before baking a pieBefore baking a pie
2.2. Picking some applesPicking some apples
3.3. Before he lit the candleBefore he lit the candle
4.4. Alice wants to be an astronautAlice wants to be an astronaut
5.5. Although Alice wants to be an astronautAlthough Alice wants to be an astronaut
6.6. Behind the couchBehind the couch
7.7. When I return from schoolWhen I return from school
8.8. While juggling avocadosWhile juggling avocados

5. Introductory PhrasesIntroductory Phrases
After using anAfter using an introductory phraseintroductory phrase toto
begin a sentence, you may or may notbegin a sentence, you may or may not
need to add a comma.need to add a comma.

6. If the introductory phrase is a short andIf the introductory phrase is a short and
simple prepositional phrase, you probablysimple prepositional phrase, you probably
do not need a comma.do not need a comma.
For example:For example:
 Under the bridge I met a kindly troll.Under the bridge I met a kindly troll.
 After dinner we went for a walk.After dinner we went for a walk.
 In France the students toured museums.In France the students toured museums.

7. However, if the introductory phrase is aHowever, if the introductory phrase is a
longer prepositional phrase, or if a commalonger prepositional phrase, or if a comma
will make the sentence clearer, use awill make the sentence clearer, use a
comma.comma.
 After getting stung by a bee, Janice criedAfter getting stung by a bee, Janice cried
for hours.for hours.
 Above the door of his bedroom, Alex’sAbove the door of his bedroom, Alex’s
little brother had placed a bucket of water.little brother had placed a bucket of water.
 In fact, facts provide useful information forIn fact, facts provide useful information for
research papers.research papers.

8. If the introductory phrase is any other typeIf the introductory phrase is any other type
of phrase, use a comma.of phrase, use a comma.
For example:For example:
 Eating a peach, Caroline walked down theEating a peach, Caroline walked down the
street.street.
 To buy a new phone, David first needed toTo buy a new phone, David first needed to
get a job.get a job.
 Preparing to ride the giant rollercoaster, IPreparing to ride the giant rollercoaster, I
took a deep breath.took a deep breath.

9. Introductory ClausesIntroductory Clauses
After using anAfter using an introductory clauseintroductory clause toto
begin a sentence, you must add either abegin a sentence, you must add either a
comma, a semicolon, a comma with acomma, a semicolon, a comma with a
conjunction, or a period.conjunction, or a period.

10. If the clause can act as a full sentence (forIf the clause can act as a full sentence (for
example, “I decided to go home”), you mustexample, “I decided to go home”), you must
follow it with either a semicolon, a period, or afollow it with either a semicolon, a period, or a
comma with a conjunction (and, but, for, so,comma with a conjunction (and, but, for, so,
or, etc.)or, etc.)
For example, any of these constructions areFor example, any of these constructions are
grammatically correct:grammatically correct:
 I decided to go home; I was tired of the zoo.I decided to go home; I was tired of the zoo.
 I decided to go home. I was tired of the zoo.I decided to go home. I was tired of the zoo.
 I decided to go home, for I wasI decided to go home, for I was
tired of the zoo.tired of the zoo.

11. If the clause cannot act as a full sentenceIf the clause cannot act as a full sentence
(for example, “After the rain stopped”), you(for example, “After the rain stopped”), you
must follow it with a comma.must follow it with a comma.
For example:For example:
 After the rain stopped, the chickensAfter the rain stopped, the chickens
emerged from their coop.emerged from their coop.
 After the rain stopped, I splashed in theAfter the rain stopped, I splashed in the
puddles.puddles.
 After the rain stopped, the threat of a floodAfter the rain stopped, the threat of a flood
significantly decreased.significantly decreased.

12. QUIZ TIME!QUIZ TIME!
Identify the introductory parts of theseIdentify the introductory parts of these
sentences as either phrases or clauses:sentences as either phrases or clauses:
1.1. Before he lit the candles, he made sureBefore he lit the candles, he made sure
his fire extinguisher was close at hand.his fire extinguisher was close at hand.
2.2. While juggling avocados, the amateurWhile juggling avocados, the amateur
clown inadvertently made guacamole.clown inadvertently made guacamole.
3.3. Alyssa’s party was cancelled, so I wentAlyssa’s party was cancelled, so I went
to Josh’s instead.to Josh’s instead.

13. 4.4. After learning to play guitar, Frank joinedAfter learning to play guitar, Frank joined
a band.a band.
5.5. After he learned to play guitar, FrankAfter he learned to play guitar, Frank
wrote a new song every day.wrote a new song every day.
6.6. To gather more volunteers, Meg offeredTo gather more volunteers, Meg offered
free food.free food.
7.7. Hiking through the woods, John fell andHiking through the woods, John fell and
broke his leg.broke his leg.

14. Now, identify these sentences as correct orNow, identify these sentences as correct or
incorrect:incorrect:
1.1. Under the teacher’s desk, the studentsUnder the teacher’s desk, the students
found a chinchilla.found a chinchilla.
2.2. Picking some apples Jeremy delighted inPicking some apples Jeremy delighted in
the fresh spring air.the fresh spring air.
3.3. When I return from school in theWhen I return from school in the
afternoon I usually eat a snack.afternoon I usually eat a snack.

15. 4.4. To be an astronaut, you need to undergoTo be an astronaut, you need to undergo
intense training.intense training.
5.5. To start a fire the Boy Scouts had to findTo start a fire the Boy Scouts had to find
dry wood.dry wood.

16. Two forms of Run-OnTwo forms of Run-On
SentencesSentences
 AA fusedfused sentence is a sentence that hassentence is a sentence that has
two or more complete sentences withouttwo or more complete sentences without
the correct punctuation between them.the correct punctuation between them.
Bob went to the store he
bought some apples.

17. Run On SentencesRun On Sentences
 AA comma splicecomma splice is two or more completeis two or more complete
sentences held together by only asentences held together by only a
comma.comma.
Bob went to the store,
he bought some
apples.

18. Now your turn to beNow your turn to be
Fix-ItFix-It
 How do you fix these run-on errors?How do you fix these run-on errors?
 Bob went to the store he bought someBob went to the store he bought some
apples.apples.
 Bob went to the store, he bought someBob went to the store, he bought some
apples.apples.

19. 1.1. Adding a period makes two completeAdding a period makes two complete
sentences.sentences.
2.2. Adding a semicolon or a colon makes oneAdding a semicolon or a colon makes one
complete sentence.complete sentence.
3. Adding a comma and coordinating3. Adding a comma and coordinating
conjunction will make one completeconjunction will make one complete
sentence.sentence.

20. ONCE MORE…ONCE MORE…
Coordinating Conjunctions
For And Nor But Or Yet So = FANBOYS
Use the FANBOYS formula to combine independent
clauses:
Subject + Predicate, {FANBOYS} Subject + Predicate