
Like an infinitive phrase, always set this introductory phrase off with a comma:
- Having finished his lunch, Sam went back to working on his art project.
- Running quickly, the boy caught up with the dog.
- Opening her eyes, she saw early morning light peeking through the curtains.
- Pouring the water on the plant, Carol admired the flowers just beginning to open.
What are some good introductory phrases?
When to introduce quotes or paraphrases
- when you want to use an author as an authoritative voice
- to introduce an author's position you may wish to discuss
- to provide evidence for your own writing
- to make a clear distinction between the views of different authors
- to make a clear distinction between an author's views and your own
What are the 5 types of phrases?
Types of Phrases
- Noun Phrase. It is usually assembled centering a single noun and works as a subject, an object or a complement in the sentence.
- Adjective Phrase. ...
- Adverbial Phrase. ...
- Prepositional Phrase. ...
- Conjunctional Phrase. ...
- Interjectional Phrase. ...
- Absolute Phrase. ...
- Appositive Phrase. ...
- Participle Phrase. ...
- Gerund Phrase. ...
What are some examples of introductory words?
- Jane, I swear if you leave the door open one more time, I’ll scream.
- Will you please do the dishes, sweetheart?
- Look, wise guy, sarcasm isn’t always an art form.
- It’ll be a cold day in hell before I agree, you mangy son of a dog, and that’s final.
What are good introductory words?
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What are 5 examples of introductory?
On a paragraph level, these words and phrases are used to connect large ideas. However, on a sentence level, these words and phrases are also considered to be introductory. Examples: However, On the other hand, Furthermore, Therefore, Thereafter, Consequently, Next, Finally, In conclusion, For example, Ultimately, etc.
What is an introductory phrase in a sentence?
An introductory clause or phrase acts as a qualifying or clarifying statement about the main sentence. Think of it as an addition to the main thought of a sentence. The introductory language is usually a dependent statement (see section A above).
How do you write an introductory phrase?
What Is an Introductory Phrase? An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn't have its own subject and verb; it relies on the subject and verb in the main clause. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence.
What is a short introductory phrase?
An introductory phrase is a short clause that starts a sentence. It doesn't have its own subject and verb. Instead, it uses the main clause's subject and verb. Introductory phrases help to set the stage for the main part of the sentence. They let the reader know that the central message of the sentence is coming.
Do introductory phrases need commas?
Introductory phrases are not complete sentences. They don't contain a subject and a verb. Rather, they include prepositional phrases, appositive phrases, participle phrases, infinitive phrases, and absolute phrases. Always use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause to help readers avoid confusion.
How are commas used in introductory phrases?
Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.
Is in fact an introductory phrase?
“In fact” used as a sentence-initial disjunct or introductory phrase is more frequently used than the sentence-final position.
Where in a sentence is an introductory clause placed?
Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that are often found at the beginning of the sentence (although they can be moved to the end of the sentence, too, without confusing the meaning of the sentence).
What are some good introductory words?
Example: Using Transition Words to Indicate Sequence/Order of Eventsgenerally... furthermore... finallyduringin the first place... also... lastlyearlierto be sure... additionally... lastlyeventuallyfirst... just in the same way... finallyfinallybasically... similarly... as well asfirst of all3 more rows•Feb 25, 2022
What is the difference between introductory clause and introductory phrase?
An introductory phrase is not a complete clause; it does not have a subject and a verb of its own. It may have a subject or a verb, but it can't have both. If it does, it's called an introductory clause.
Where in a sentence is an introductory clause placed?
Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that are often found at the beginning of the sentence (although they can be moved to the end of the sentence, too, without confusing the meaning of the sentence).
How are commas used in introductory phrases?
Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.
What Is an Introductory Phrase?
Simply put, an introductory phrase is a group of words that comes before the main clause in a sentence. It helps the reader understand more about the main clause.
What is an introductory participial phrase?
Introductory Participial Phrase Examples and Usage. A participial phrase is another form of verb phrase. Like an infinitive phrase, it may have a direct object. It sets the stage for the main clause, allowing the reader to understand the context of what is happening.
What is the prepositional phrase in a sentence?
In an introductory prepositional phrase, the sentence starts with a preposition and a few words that follow it. The prepositional phrase adds information to the main clause, often about a location or timing.
What is an infinitive phrase?
These phrases also provide location and other helpful information. An infinitive phrase begins with the word “to” and includes a verb. It may also include a direct object of the verb.
When to use a comma after a prepositional phrase?
To use it properly, you need to use a comma after the introductory prepositional phrase to set it apart from the rest of the sentence if the phrase is longer than four words. You can see the proper punctuation in these examples: After the severe spring thunderstorm, the sky turned gold.
What is an absolute phrase?
An absolute phrase also adds information to the main clause, providing context for the reader to interpret the rest of the sentence. This type of introductory phrase offers a little more detail about the way in which something is happening or the reason for which it is happening.
Do you put a comma after an appositive phrase?
When you start with an appositive phrase, you often need to use a comma after it. If the phrase is a nice addition to the sentence but is not necessary for clarity , you should use a comma:
Why are introductory prepositional phrases used?
Introductory prepositional phrases are used as transitions to provide background details concerning who, what, when, where, how, or why . They are also used to show two ideas are relative but not dependent, and they are added in order to add more clarity to a sentence.
Where is the introductory clause located?
An introductory prepositional clause is a prepositional clause that is located at the beginning of a sentence. When an introductory prepositional phrase is short (less than four words), use of a comma is optional. If an introductory prepositional phrase is longer than four words, the use of a comma is required.
What is an infinitive prepositional phrase?
An infinitive prepositional phrase is used as an adjective to modify a noun.
What are some examples of absolute prepositional phrases?
An example of an absolute prepositional phrase is: Sarah held onto the rope, her fingers squeezing it tightly.
How to use a prepositional phrase?
Use a prepositional phrase to modify a verb. An example of a prepositional phrase modifying a verb is: To find the person who called your name, look behind you. The prepositional phrase is "behind you" and it answers the question, look where?
What are some examples of prepositions?
An example of a prepositional phrase is: under the box. In this example, "under" is the preposition and "under the box" is the prepositional phrase.
Where is the comma in a prepositional clause?
A comma is placed after the introductory prepositional clause. An example of an introductory prepositional phrase is: She traveled across the parking lot, in order to find her car and leave.
What is an introductory phrase?
As the name suggests, it introduces the entire text to the reader; simply an introductory phrase sets a backdrop for the main text and answers, detail concerning who , what, when, where, why, and how, ...
What is an infinitive phrase?
Infinitive Phrases. The word “to” followed by the base form of a verb is called an infinitive, and it is used to talk about the verb in the abstract, not connected with a subject. Introductory infinitive phrase act as an adverb. For example: to keep the dog, you must prove you can take care of it.
What is an absolute phrase?
An absolute phrase includes a subject and information about it but not a verb. It has all the pieces of an independent clause except the verb “to be.”. Example: “With the trees already growing back, the field was returning to nature.”. Note – Use them as introductory phrases to give More information about the circumstances in the main clause.
What is a participle in a sentence?
As we know, participles are verbs ending in “-ing” or “-ed” that act as adjectives. They usually modify the subject of the sentence. Example: Examining the wound carefully, the doctor decided that the best course of action was using staples instead of stitches.”. Adjective clause describing doctor.
Do introductory phrases have to be in every piece of writing?
Above all, by now, you might already have absorbed the backdrop of text which would succeed these introductory phrases. Since these were fished out from some famous novels doesn’t mean introductory phrases are only bound to novels, introductory phrases are part of every piece of writing.
What Is an Introductory Phrase?
An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn’t have its own subject and verb; it relies on the subject and verb in the main clause. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. When you use an introductory phrase in your writing, you’re signaling to the reader that the central message of the sentence is yet to come.
When to use a comma in an introductory sentence?
When your introductory phrase actually contains two prepositional phrases, it’s best to use a comma. In the examples below, the introductory phrase contains two prepositional phrases: “during the production” and “of the film.”. During the production of the film the director nearly quit.
What is an appositive phrase?
An appositive phrase is a phrase that renames the subject of the sentence. For example, the highlighted phrase in the sentence below is an appositive phrase because it renames the subject: Kate, an only child , demands a lot of attention. There are two types of appositive phrases: restrictive and nonrestrictive.
Why is an appositive restrictive?
In this case, the appositive is restrictive because it is necessary for the reader to know which opera singer had myopia. Sometimes, a restrictive appositive phrase acts as an introductory phrase. In these instances, don’t use a comma to separate the phrase from the subject that it renames.
When to use a comma after a prepositional?
When to Use Commas After Introductory Prepositional Phrases. When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma.
Do you put a comma after a phrase?
The rules regarding commas after introductory phrases are complex, but with practice, applying them will become instinctual.
Do commas trip you up?
Here’s a tip: Commas can be tricky, but they don’t have to trip you up. Grammarly’s writing assistant can help you make sure your punctuation, spelling, and grammar are tip-top on all your favorite websites. Try Grammarly for free.
What is the introduction paragraph?
Whether you're writing an essay for class, answering an essay question on a test, crafting a college application, or writing any other type of essay-style work, your introduction paragraph is one of the most important you'll write.
Why is an introduction important?
No matter what type of writing you do, a strong introduction is important for setting the tone for your work. From blog posts to high school essays, the right introduction can pique a reader's interest and draw them in to keep reading. Use these strong introduction examples to inspire you as you write. Strong Introduction Paragraph Examples.
What is the purpose of an introduction in a blog post?
In the world of online reading, it's easy to navigate away to something else. The introduction is your chance to keep your reader on your blog.
Why do you need an introduction for a short story?
In a novel, you have the whole first chapter, but because the length of your short story is limited, your introduction needs to suck your reader in within just a few sentences.
What is the importance of an introduction in a report?
Reports aren't always the most fascinating kind of writing to read, so a really great introduction can make a huge difference in your reader engagement. You need to be clear about what you're discussing and offer any background information your reader might need.
How to make your reader feel like you are in the story?
Make your reader experience the world of your story by adding vivid sensory details. Using imagery that involves the senses lets your reader feel like he or she is in the story.
What does it mean to be engaged in writing?
After you've captured their attention, get more tips to engage the reader in the rest of your piece. An engaged reader means your writing is effective and powerful.
How to introduce a quote with a signal phrase?
By introducing a quotation or paraphrase with a signal phrase, you provide an effective transition between your own ideas and the evidence used to explore your ideas. One of the best ways to let readers know more about your source is to use a signal phrase. Signal phrases help readers “move from your own words to the words ...
Why do we use signal phrases?
Signal phrases help readers “move from your own words to the words of a source without feeling a jolt ” (Hacker 406). A writer uses signal phrases to avoid dropped quotations, smoothly leading the reader into the source’s ideas.
