Commas after an opener
You learn to put a comma after an opener at the start of a sentence.
How to do the test
- Read the start of the sentence.
- Find the opener: a group of words that tells you when, where or how.
- Put a comma where the opener ends and the main clause begins.
A worked example
Put the comma in the right place. Later that day we went swimming.
- Later that day is the opener: it tells you when, where or how.
- A comma separates the opener from the main clause.
- The comma goes after day.
More examples
Put the comma in the right place. Before breakfast Dad walked the dog.
- Before breakfast is the opener: it tells you when, where or how.
- A comma separates the opener from the main clause.
- The comma goes after breakfast.
Put the comma in the right place. As quick as a flash the thief ran away.
- As quick as a flash is the opener: it tells you when, where or how.
- A comma separates the opener from the main clause.
- The comma goes after flash.
Try it yourself
After the the sun came out.
Just before dawn the farmer woke up.
Watch out
You put the comma after the first word, as in Later, that day we went.
Find where the opener really ends. Later that day is one group, so the comma comes after day.
Tips
- Read the sentence aloud. You pause where the opener ends.
Why it works
An opener tells you when, where or how, before the main clause begins. A comma shows where the opener ends and the main clause starts.