Introductory Verbal Phrases and Their Commas

Start with the clause chart on Name the Clause and Its Job, then move to writing clauses. Use the sentence type sheet before a lesson on compound-complex sentences.

Name opening participial, infinitive and prepositional phrases in basketball sentences and add commas. A participial phrase begins with an -ing or -ed verb form, an infinitive phrase with to + a verb and a prepositional phrase with a preposition. The directions on the page read: Underline the introductory phrase in each sentence. On the line, write Part (participial), Inf (infinitive) or Prep (prepositional) to name its type. Then add the comma that belongs after each of these long opening phrases. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade sentences, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but a dependent clause cannot. Although the Underground Railroad had no trains is dependent, and it was real is independent. Students bracket three clauses in each sentence and label them.

An adjective clause describes a noun and often starts with who, whose, which or that. An adverb clause tells when, why, how or under what condition. A noun clause does a noun's job, as in I wonder what the map shows.

A long opening phrase is followed by a comma. Introductory Verbal Phrases and Their Commas has students name each opening phrase as participial, infinitive or prepositional and add the comma.