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Keep the Highest 4 out of 44 / 4
10 . Commas with Introductory Phrases, Transitional Expressions, and Parentheticals
According to a research study by Andrea Lunsford at Stanford University, the most common mistake
that people make in their writing is with the comma. In particular, a "missing comma after an
introductory element" is the #1 most common error. Follow these simple rules to avoid this mistake:
COMMAS WITH INTRODUCTORY PHRASES, TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSIONS, AND PARENTHETICALS
Definition: A transitional
expression shows how one
idea in a sentence relates to
another idea in the same
sentence or in the sentence
directly before or after.
Definition: An introductory
phrase is a fragment (it
cannot stand alone as a
sentence) that introduces the
main sentence.
Rule: Use a
comma after
most
introductory
phrases that
are longer
than two
words.
Rule: If a
transitional
expression is
in the middle
of a sentence,
set it off with
commas on
both sides. If
it comes at
the beginning
or end of a
sentence, only
one comma is
Example: Although
the door was locked,
someone broke in
and took a shower in
our house.
Example: All of my
professors are very
unusual. My English
professor, for
instance, wears her
pet chinchilla
around her neck
during lectures.
Many offices are
observing holiday
hours. For example,
post offices and
banks are closed
Explanation: In
the example, the
italicized section
is the introductory
phrase. Notice
that the comma
follows the
introductory
phrase to separate
it from the main
sentence.
Explanation: In
the examples, the
transitional
expressions are
italicized. In the
first example, the
transitional
expression "for
instance" appears
in the middle of
the sentence and
is set off with
commas. In the
Definition: A parenthetical
expression is a word, or a
group of words, that provides
relevant but not essential
information in the middle of a
sentence. You could put
parentheses (like this) around
the word(s) and the sentence
would still make sense.
necessary to
separate it
from the rest
of the
sentence.
Rule: Use a
comma
before and
after
parenthetical
expressions.
today.
Example: Your
hair, by the way,
looks absolutely
fabulous.
second example,
the transitional
expression "For
example" appears
at the beginning
of the sentence
and is, therefore,
followed by a
comma.
Explanation: In
the sentence, by
the way is a
parenthetical
expression and is,
therefore, set off
with commas.
Getting Started: Each of the following sentences is correctly punctuated with commas. Using the rules
in the previous table as a guide, select a response from the dropdown menu to indicate whether the
commas are correct because the example is an introductory phrase, a transitional expression, or
a parenthetical expression.
As the rain came thundering down, Lisa huddled miserably against the building.
Use a comma after As the rain came thundering down because it isError! Filename not specified.an
introductory phrase .
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Use a comma after As the rain came thundering down because it is "an introductory phrase."
As the rain came thundering down is an introductory phrase because it is a fragment of more than two
words (it cannot stand alone) that introduces the main sentence.
Her big hopes, it seemed, had been stupid and pointless.
Use a comma before and after it seemed because it is Error! Filename not specified.a parenthetical
expression .
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Use a comma before and after it seemed because it is "a parenthetical expression."
It seemed is a parenthetical expression. It comes in the middle of the sentence and provides relevant,
but not essential, information. You could even put parentheses around it, or get rid of it, and the
sentence would still make sense: "Her big hopes (it seemed) had been stupid and pointless."
Applying Concepts: The following passage is missing its commas. Carefully read the passage. For each
sentence, select each blank line to choose the word from the dropdown menu that completes the
statement indicating where to insert the comma or commas.
(1) Through the wet and foggy window Brad could see the beautiful woman in the street below his
fourth floor office. (2) Her face it seemed searched each passing car with a more and more frantic
expression. (3) Though she was slim and tiny he knew how dangerous she was to him. (4) Her
knowledge of his true identity in fact threatened his life at every moment.
(1) Through the wet and foggy window Brad could see the beautiful woman in the street below his
fourth floor office.
In this sentence, a comma should be inserted after the word Error! Filename not specified.window
to mark the end of an introductory phrase.
Points:
1 / 1
(2) Her face it seemed searched each passing car with a more and more frantic expression.
In this sentence, a comma should be inserted before the wordError! Filename not specified.it and
after the word Error! Filename not specified.seemed to mark a parenthetical expression.
Points:
1 / 1
(3) Though she was slim and tiny he knew how dangerous she was to him.
In this sentence, a comma should be inserted after the word Error! Filename not specified.tiny to
mark the end of an introductory phrase.
Points:
1 / 1
(4) Her knowledge of his true identity in fact threatened his life at every moment.
In this sentence, a comma should be inserted before the word Error! Filename not specified.in and
after the word Error! Filename not specified.fact to mark a parenthetical expression.
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The corrected paragraph looks like this:
(1) Through the wet and foggy window, Brad could see the beautiful woman in the street below his
fourth floor office. (2) Her face, it seemed, searched each passing car with a more and more frantic
expression. (3) Though she was slim and tiny, he knew how dangerous she was to him. (4) Her
knowledge of his true identity, in fact, threatened his life at every moment.
1. In the first sentence, a comma should be entered after the word window; "Through the wet and foggy
window" is an introductory phrase because it is a fragment that introduces the main sentence ("Brad
could see the beautiful woman in the street below his fourth floor office").
2. In the second sentence, a comma should be entered before the word it and after the word seemed.
"It seemed" is a parenthetical expression because it provides relevant but not essential information to
the sentence.
3. In the third sentence, a comma must be inserted after the word tiny; "Though she was slim and tiny"
is an introductory phrase because it is a fragment that introduces the main sentence ("he knew how
dangerous she was to him").
4. In the last sentence, a comma should be inserted before the word in and after the word fact; "in
fact" is a parenthetical expression because it provides relevant but not essential information to the
sentence.
