Commas with Introductory Elements

Use a comma after certain introductory elements.

(1) Use a comma to set off a mild exclamation such as well, oh, or why at the beginning of a sentence. Other introductory words, such as yes and no, are also set off with commas.

EXAMPLES

Oh, I see.

Yes, she has that book.

(2) Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause.

EXAMPLES	At the bend in the road, turn right. [two prepositional phrases]
	Signaling carefully, she changed lanes. [participial phrase]
	To water the garden, use the sprinkler. [infinitive phrase]
	When the artists painted, they followed several rules. [adverb clause]

EXERCISE A In the following sentences, insert commas where they are needed. If a sentence is already correct, write C to the left of the item number.

Example

1.      On the shores of the Nile, a great civilization was born.

1.     No the Egyptians were not just farmers.

2.     Concerned with the afterlife Egyptian rulers built great tombs for themselves.

3.     Built for monarchs and nobles many great stone tombs contained supplies for use in the afterlife.

4.     While he was alive the king had his picture painted.

5.     On the wall of his tomb a picture shows the king hunting.

6.     Well it shows how the king once hunted.

7.     When I saw the jewels I thought the kings were rich.

8.     Why they believed they could take jewels to the next life.

9.     Based on things found in tombs the assumption can be made that they believed they could take almost everything!

10.  In Egypt great riches have been found in these tombs.