46. Commas with Introductory Sentence Elements

Hello, Everybody, and welcome back to another grammar lesson--and this time, we will continue with a closer look at some more punctuation problems. Have you ever seen a sentence with too many commas? Not enough commas? Commas in the wrong place? This happens too frequently, resulting in confusing sentences, and I know you don't want others to misunderstand what you mean when you write your thoughts down. Right? So...let's check these comma rules out.

Our first rule is this: Use a comma after introductory words, mild interjections, or adverbs at the beginning of a sentence.

Here are some examples:

1. Well, he won't get bow-legged carrying his brains.

Here, "Well..." is simply an introductory word in the sentence. There's a natural pause after it, and we notice that it actually
doesn't add anything to the meaning of the sentence. In other words, it's parenthetical or a digression from the main idea of the
sentence. If "Well..." were left out, its meaning would not be affected, although it does add a bit of conversational style.

2. Wait, we're fixin' to spray the gallonnippers off that puddle of water right now.

In this sentence, we have the same general rule at work. "Wait..." is a mild interjection this time, followed by a natural pause and
is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

3. However, I will have some of those chicken dumplings and cornbread.

Finally, we see here the adverb "However..." at the beginning of this sentence. Once again, this simple introductory word
could be omitted from the sentence without changing its meaning. "However..." is, though, an important transitional word used
for coherence in writing.

Note: Some of you may wonder why I haven't mentioned that quite often, the comma following an introductory word CAN be
omitted in some sentences. Okay. So now I'll say it : As long as there is no confusion with the meaning of the sentence, you
most certainly have that option.

And now...today's second rule follows:

Use a comma after a series of prepositional phrases at the beginning of a sentence.

Here are some examples of this rule:

1. From my seat at the end of the table, I listened to Grandma as I devoured her country ham and red-eye gravy.

Here, "From my seat...", "...at the end...", and "... of the table..." are three prepositional phrases, back to back. Therefore, we need to place
a comma after the last one, making the meaning perfectly clear.

2. Under that table by the fireplace, Jerome's dog lay, proud as a dog with two tails.

The two back-to-back prepositional phrases, "Under that table..." and "...by the fireplace..." once again need to be followed
by a comma. How easy is that?

And now...for today's final rule:

A SINGLE prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence does not need to be followed by a comma unless the comma is needed for clarity.

1. On Saturday our family enjoyed Whiteville High School's production of DRACULA.

Since "On Saturday..." is just one prepositional phrase, no comma is needed...but notice the difference here:

2. Before the recent hit, OKLAHOMA was WHS's most popular production.

Without a comma following "...hit...", we might infer that OKLAHOMA was the school's most popular production,
rather than DRACULA, or that the sentence is too confusing to understand.

I'll now end with a suggestion about commas I heard many years ago: "When it doubt, leave it out!" Keep this in mind and you'll see what a great help it can be.

Well, this brings us to an end for today's lesson. I hope you've all learned something and can remember to use what you've learned! Have a great week, enjoy our beautiful Columbus County weather, and be happy. Remember that I love hearing from you and appreciate your suggestions for topics. Peace and happiness, GG