๐ Topic Summary
Commas are like little pauses in your sentences. When you start a sentence with a word, phrase, or clause that introduces the main idea, you usually need a comma to separate it. These are called introductory elements. For example, in the sentence, "After school, I'm going to the park," the phrase "After school" is the introductory element, and the comma tells the reader where that phrase ends and the main part of the sentence begins. Getting good at this helps your writing flow much better!
Introductory elements can be single words (like "Well,"), phrases (like "In the morning,"), or clauses (like "Because it was raining,"). The key is to always use a comma after the introductory part!
๐ Part A: Vocabulary
Match the vocabulary word with its correct definition.
| Word |
Definition |
| 1. Introductory Element |
A. A group of related words that doesn't have a subject and verb. |
| 2. Clause |
B. A pause in a sentence. |
| 3. Phrase |
C. The part of the sentence that comes before the main idea and needs a comma. |
| 4. Comma |
D. A group of related words with a subject and verb. |
โ๏ธ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the word bank below.
Word Bank: comma, introductory, sentence, phrases, elements
In a ______________, ______________ ______________ appear at the beginning. These can be single words, ______________, or even short clauses. Always remember to use a ______________ after the introductory part to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
๐ค Part C: Critical Thinking
Imagine you're writing a story. Describe a situation where using a comma after an introductory element is important for clarity. What would happen if you didn't use the comma? Give an example.