Phrase Punctuation
When setting off phrases with commas, use the following rules:
1. Set off an introductory prepositional phrase of four or more words. (intro prep ph. 4+ words)
(After the sixth goal), Magellan gave up and left the field.
Note – If more than one prepositional phrase appears back-to-back at the beginning of the sentence,
place the comma after the last one.
(Before the end)(of the game), Endeavor had shut down all of Magellan’s players.
2. Set off an introductory verbal phrase if it is not the subject. (intro verbal phrase)
Annoyed by her loud voice, I shut the door.
To avoid losing my mind, I closed the door.
Keeping my sanity was my motivation for closing the door.
(no comma because verbal phrase is the subject)
3. Set off an interrupting phrase or an unnecessary phrase. (interrupting phrase or unnecessary info)
Wolfgang, trying to get in shape, eats spavish with every meal.
Lebinda, without anyone’s help, completed the obstacle course.
Note – If the phrase is necessary, do not set it off with commas.
The lady standing beside the yellow Mustang is named Lebinda.
4. Set off an appositive phrase that is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. (unnecessary
app)
Wolfgang, one of my good friends, came to visit yesterday afternoon.
The playoffs, the biggest games of the year, take place in December.
Bart and Homer attended the wrestling match, a festival of madness.
Fluffy, my five-year old dog, can sit, stand, and beg.
Note – Sometimes an appositive is too closely related to be set off:
My cousin Ralph likes to play video games.
We players decided which uniforms to wear.
The guitarist Jimi Hendrix was an amazing performer.
5. Set off a participle phrase at the end of the end of the sentence that describes the subject
Miss America walked in front of the audience, smiling with joy.
The defendant sat at the table with his lawyer, grumbling to himself.
Note – If the commas were to be removed in these two sentences, notice how we might not know who
is supposed to be smiling or grumbling.
Phrase Punctuation Practice 1
1. Place commas where needed in the following sentences. Be careful because not all sentences will
need commas.
2. Write the phrase punctuation rule that applies to each sentence next to the sentence.
Ex: After the football game , we left for home.
Introductory prep. phrase 4+ words
1. Taking plenty of time Wolfgang strolled the grounds of his mansion.
2. He talked with Lebinda Jenkins the woman in charge of his spavish garden.
3. To warn Wolfgang about the flood in the garden Lebinda threw water in his face.
4. Wolfgang thought his brother Joe was playing a trick on him.
5. Wiping the water off his face Wolfgang went chasing after Joe.
6. After running through the garden Joe managed to elude Wolfgang.
7. Getting too close to the compost pile Joe accidentally fell in the compost.
8. Whiffy Jenkins Lebinda’s little brother happened to be walking by.
9. Before helping Joe out of the pile Whiffy made Joe promise to keep a secret.
10. Joe agreed to keep the secret thanking Whiffy for the help.
11. To get Joe out of the compost Whiffy needed to use a shovel, rope, and belt.
12. Whiffy huffing and puffing managed to get Joe out in less than an hour.
13. Whiffy stood by Joe checking for any injuries.
14. Seeing no injuries Whiffy left Joe standing in the garden.
15. Joe pleased to be free thought that Wolfgang was gone.
16. In the blink of an eye Wolfgang rounded the corner and saw Joe.
17. Chasing Joe around the garden was fun for Wolfgang.
18. Wolfgang a former long-distance runner eventually caught Joe.
19. During the long chase around the spavish Wolfgang read on his Kindle.
20. After catching him Wolfgang punished Joe by making him eat pickled spavish.