Commas after fronted adverbials and clauses

When a sentence starts with extra information before the main clause, we put a comma after it. This can be a fronted adverbial, which tells us when, where or how (⟦After lunch, we left.⟧), or a subordinate clause (⟦Although it rained, we played outside.⟧). The comma shows the reader where the main clause starts and stops confusion.

Key facts

  • Fronted adverbial + comma: ⟦Early in the morning, the birds began to sing.⟧ ⟦Slowly, the door creaked open.⟧
  • Subordinate clause first + comma: ⟦When the bell rang, the children lined up.⟧ ⟦If you finish early, you can read.⟧
  • Subordinate clauses start with words like ⟦although⟧, ⟦when⟧, ⟦if⟧, ⟦because⟧, ⟦while⟧, ⟦until⟧, ⟦unless⟧, ⟦as soon as⟧.
  • When the main clause comes first, you usually don't need a comma: ⟦We played outside although it rained.⟧
  • A comma can change the meaning: ⟦While we were eating, the cat jumped on the table.⟧ Without it, a reader might think we were eating the cat!

Worked examples

Example 1

Add the comma: ⟦After the match the players shook hands.⟧

  1. ⟦After the match⟧ is a fronted adverbial (when).
  2. Put the comma after it: ⟦After the match, the players shook hands.⟧

Answer: ⟦After the match, the players shook hands.⟧

Example 2

Add the comma: ⟦Because it was late we took a taxi.⟧

  1. ⟦Because it was late⟧ can't stand alone: it is a subordinate clause.
  2. It comes first, so put a comma after it.

Answer: ⟦Because it was late, we took a taxi.⟧

Example 3

Put the subordinate clause first: ⟦We stayed indoors until the rain stopped.⟧

  1. Move ⟦until the rain stopped⟧ to the front with a capital letter.
  2. Add a comma before the main clause: ⟦Until the rain stopped, we stayed indoors.⟧

Answer: ⟦Until the rain stopped, we stayed indoors.⟧