Introductory Words and Phrases can set the stage for the rest of your sentence. When used well, these words and phrases signal to the reader that the main idea, message, or action of the sentence is yet to come. They also answer important questions for the reader by providing background details concerning who, what, when, where, why, and how. Introductory words and phrases are always offset by a comma and are used to show that two ideas are connected.
Prepositional phrases can be used as introductory phrases. The following examples use introductory prepositional phrases to provide important contextual information. Each introductory phrase has been added to a complete thought, or sentence, in order to increase clarity.
Examples:
In India, cows are sacred animals.
The introductory phrase answers the “where?” question.
At the end of the day, I was completely exhausted.
The introductory phrase answers the “when?” question.
By slowing her pace, Beth met her goal and finished the marathon.
The introductory phrase answers the “how?” question.
To make biscuits, I use my grandmother’s recipe.
The introductory phrase answers the “why?” question.
According to Carr, the Internet has changed the way we read.
The introductory phrase answers the “who?” question.
Though prepositional phrases may be more common, participial, absolute, and appositive phrases are often used as introductory phrases as well. Participial and absolute phrases provide a bit more context for the reader to interpret what is happening in the sentence or to understand why it is happening. Appositive phrases offer an alternative description of the subject of the sentence. Here are examples of each of these three types:
Running quickly, the girl caught up with the rabbit.
This is a participial phrase that provides the context of how the girl caught up.
Completely ignoring my advice, Meg never applied for the job at my firm.
This is an absolute phrase that provides context as to how it happened that Meg never applied.
A fine tracker, my dog found the fox’s den.
This is an appositive phrase that provides a relevant description of the subject (“my dog”).
Introductory Transitional Words and Phrases: Introductory words and phrases are often used as transitions to guide readers through your writing. Transitions alert readers to your purpose for adding an idea by connecting your ideas in meaningful ways. Follow these introductory transitional words and phrases with a comma. For a comprehensive list of transitions and their usage, see the Transitions handout in the Writing Center’s online resources. Here are a few common examples:
However, On the other hand, Furthermore, Therefore, Thereafter, Consequently, Next, Finally, In conclusion, For example, Ultimately, As a rule, Above all, By the same token, Incidentally, etc.
A Helpful Trick: A good way to tell if a phrase is truly an introductory phrase and, therefore, needs to be followed by a comma is to move it elsewhere in the sentence. Introductory prepositional phrases can often be moved to the end of a sentence without a comma and the sentence will continue to make sense. Introductory transitional words and participial, absolute, or appositive phrases can often be moved to midsentence, placed after the object they modify (requiring 2 commas to set them off), and the sentence still makes sense. For example:
In India, cows are sacred animals. – OR – Cows are sacred animals in India.
According to Carr, the Internet has changed the way we read. – OR – The Internet has changed the way we read according to Carr.
At the end of the day, I was completely exhausted. – OR – I was completely exhausted at the end of the day.
To make biscuits, I use my grandmother’s recipe. – OR – I use my grandmother’s recipe to make biscuits.
Running quickly, the girl caught up to the rabbit. – OR – The girl, running quickly, caught up to the rabbit.
A fine tracker, my dog found the fox’s den. – OR – My dog, a fine tracker, found the fox’s den.
However, complying with the rule may not be so simple. – OR – Complying with the rule, however, may not be so simple.
When writing, you can use introductory words and phrases to vary your sentence structure, answer important questions, provide details or context, show the relationship between connected ideas, and improve the overall flow of your writing. When editing your writing, search for these phrases in each sentence to be sure you have commas in their proper places. You might also add introductory words and phrases to certain sentences to vary your sentence structure and make your ideas more detailed and interesting.
Source consulted: Dixie State University website
Guide created by: E. Raley 4/27/2021
Revised by: J. Brown 1/17/2024, C. Jones 4/30/2024
The RVC Writing Center offers many resources to help you with these topics and all of your writing concerns. Titles of available resources can be found in the navigation bars along the left side of this page and/or by using the search bar. The Writing Center’s Resource Library can be accessed by using the following link:
If you still need assistance, please call (815) 921-2370 to make an appointment with an RVC writing coach.
We are here to help!
