The introduction is a perfect place to set the scene and make a good first impression. Examples of introductory in a sentence, how to use it. Like an infinitive phrase, it may have a direct object. When you use an introductory phrase in your writing, you’re signaling to the reader that the central message of the sentence is yet to come. Use introductory infinitive phrases to describe the purpose of the main verb in your sentence. Example sentences with the word introductory. Appositive phrases usually come after the nouns they describe, but they may come before it, as they do when they are introductory phrases. What Are Linking Verbs & Predicate Words. Introductory phrases set the stage for the rest of your sentence, giving the reader valuable information about what is happening and why. In the sentence, "A great composer, Wagner wrote famous operas," "a great composer" is an appositive phrase describing Wagner. QUIZ TIME!QUIZ TIME! Introductory phrases and clauses. Need help getting that email started? It has all the pieces of an independent clause except the verb "to be." (Introductory dependent clause.) "To Judy" is a noun phrase and the indirect object of the verb. . His gentle introductory tone modulates into a football coach's pre-game pep talk. "Next door" is an adverb phrase telling where. These examples can clear up any confusion: In general, it’s usually correct to use a comma after an introductory phrase. An absolute phrase includes a subject and information about it but not a verb. "To Judy, he gave a gold bracelet." Which one of the following is the best definition of an introductory prepositional phrase? In the sentence "A great composer, Wagner liked to go to bed early," "a great composer" still describes Wagner, but it has nothing to do with the topic of the sentence: the time he liked to go to bed. It is correct to use a comma and also correct to leave it out, as you can see in the example below: Using an introductory infinitive phrase also provides information to the reader, often about why something is happening. After the welcome address and the introduction of the speaker comes the presentation of the topic. . It’s a pleasure to meet you. Likewise. Simply put, an introductory phrase is a group of words that comes before the main clause in a sentence. How to use introductory in a sentence. You should always use a comma after an introductory infinitive phrase, as you can see in these examples: A participial phrase is another form of verb phrase. Commas are placed after the introductory clause, phase or words. Stephanie Mitchell is a professional writer who has authored websites and articles for real estate agents, self-help coaches and casting directors. In contrast, this introductory clause example includes both a subject and a verb: Because the horse was galloping quickly, he reached the other side of the pasture in less than a minute. Because she had seen the movie twice already, Mary was reluctant to accept John’s invitation (to the movie). An introductory adverbial phrase is often set off by a comma but need not be unless misreading is likely. Knowing the five types of introductory phrases and what purpose each serves can give you some ideas for writing sentences with introductory phrases. In the sentence, "To keep the dog, you must prove you can take care of it," "to keep the dog" is an infinitive phrase. Simply speaking, they build a stage for the rest of the sentence. Mary was reluctant to accept John’s invitation. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater. ###”Also” Using “also” as an introductory clause can sound colloquial or make it seem as though the following sentence is an afterthought. Consider whether the phrase adds important clarifying information about the subject. Introductory Phrases In most cases, introductory phrases perform important functions: they are used to introduce something. An introductory phrase is not a complete clause; it does not have a subject and a verb of its own. The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers . Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Education, How to Start Sentences With Adjective Phrases. When you see a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence, this signals an introductory phrase, and you know a comma is coming at the end of that subordinate phrase, as illustrated in these examples: Because his favorite team lost the Super Bowl, he … Introductory phrases and clauses pretty much do what they say do. introductory example sentences. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. There can be more than one introductory clause, phrase or word in a sentences. Mitchell also regularly edits websites, business correspondence, resumes and full-length manuscripts. X agrees that . . 2) I hope you are doing well. Regarding word count, introduction typically occupies 10-15% of your paper. The prepositional phrase adds information to the main clause, often about a location or timing. We like to think of it as setting the stage for the rest of the sentence. There are several different types of introductory phrases, and there are specific rules for using these correctly. Introductory phrases give your writing a varied sentence structure and a sophisticated style. John invited Mary to a movie. As you can see, there are many ways you can build on these phrases to paint a bigger, better and more descriptive picture of … According to Marks and Peters . Sometimes, these introductory phrases start with “the” instead of “a” or “an.” If the phrase does provide important clarifying information, don’t use a comma. In the sentence, "With the trees already growing back, the field was returning to nature," "with the trees already growing back" is an introductory absolute phrase. . . When you start with an appositive phrase, you often need to use a comma after it. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and includes the preposition's object. Use introductory appositive phrases to give relevant information about the subject of a sentence, not irrelevant information. Here are some examples of sentences with introductory prepositional phrases: "After work, I like to go out for dinner." It sets the stage for the main clause, allowing the reader to understand the context of what is happening. As long as it has a subject and a predicate, a group of words can form a sentence, no matter how short. Common introductory phrases include prepositional phrases, appositive phrases, participial phrases, infinitive phrases, and absolute phrases. Clauses, phrases or words that come at the beginning of the sentence. Introductory phrases are usually followed by a comma to separate from the independent clause. I’m… [your name] I don’t think we’ve met before. You can see how this works in this introductory phrase example: Galloping quickly, the horse reached the other side of the pasture in less than a minute. #1 and #2 are used to introdu It can act as a noun, adjective or adverb. A phrase that starts with a preposition and comes at the beginning of a sentence. . And you. Introduction section comes after the abstract. As introductory phrases, they usually modify the subject of the sentence. Some style guides allow for short introductory phrases to precede the independent clause of a sentence without a comma if … The Purdue Owl also advises that the comma after some introductory elements, such as “a brief prepositional phrase,” may be left out. . Like an infinitive phrase, always set this introductory phrase off with a comma: An absolute phrase also adds information to the main clause, providing context for the reader to interpret the rest of the sentence. This is because you pause after the introductory phrase when you say the sentence aloud. X asserts that . After researching the issue, the committee settled the dispute before the media even noticed. . "After work" is an adverb phrase telling when. Use introductory infinitive phrases to describe the purpose of the main verb in your sentence. 20 Sentences and Phrases for Beginning an Email. I just wanted to introduce myself. These worksheets provide practice writing sentences with introductory phrases. Learn when and where to use a comma after an introductory phrase and how to make your writing stand out with just the right words. A complete sentence has a subject and predicate, and can often be composed of more than one clause. There are five common types of introductory phrases, and it’s important to understand how to use each one correctly. These phrases also provide location and other helpful information. Participle phrases are different from gerund phrases in that participles act as adjectives and gerunds act as nouns. Absolute Phrases. Published on May 1, 2015. They contain supporting or descriptive information about the rest of the sentence's subject, main idea or main action. In the sentence, "Running like the wind, Sasha began to gain on him," "running like the wind" describes Sasha. Introduction section should provide the reader with a brief overview of your topic and the reasons for conducting research. . The phrases are usually set off with a comma. 3) I hope you had a great weekend. An introductory phrase is not a complete clause; it does not have a subject and a verb of its own. Do you always begin your emails the same way? An appositive phrase is a noun phrase that describes another noun. Before you learn how to correctly use and punctuate an introductory phrase, you need to have a clear understanding of what one is and why you would use it in a sentence. . This type of introductory phrase offers a little more detail about the way in which something is happening or the reason for which it is happening. Introductory Phrases. "As a lifelong crabber (that is, one who catches crabs, not a chronic complainer), I can tell you that anyone who has patience and a great love for the river is qualified to join the ranks of crabbers. 99 examples: Similar examples of "incoherence" appear throughout the introductory stanzas… 141+5 sentence examples: 1. . 3. “You ate fish.” More complex sentences can combine multiple clauses or phrases to add additional information about what is described. “The other day, I met an old friend.” When writing a sentence, sometimes you may wish to set the scene for your statement by using an introductory phrase. Use a comma after an absolute phrase at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the sentence. Stacked introductory phrases and dependent clauses also need commas: The next day,↑to avoid another argument,↑they arrived at the bus stop early. Absolute Phrases. My name’s… [your name] This is… I’d like you to meet… Have you met… ? The word "to" followed by the base form of a verb is called an infinitive, and it is used to talk about the verb in the abstract, not connected with a subject. An absolute phrase includes a subject and information about it but not a verb. Each type serves a distinct purpose within the sentence. Absolute phrases can be placed anywhere in a sentence. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence. They introduce something. If none of these phrases fits, “on the other hand” is probably wrong, too. In the sentence, "With the trees already growing back, the field was returning to nature," "with the trees already growing back" is an introductory … An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn't have its own subject and verb; it relies on the subject and verb in the main clause. Phrases don't have both a subject and a verb that are separate from the subject and verb in the main clause of the sentence. These can also be good alternative options in cases where “On the other hand” feels too informal or has been overused. (Some writing and editing guides suggest that short introductory phrases don’t require commas; often, such brief modifying phrases involve time: “Yesterday I saw a ghost,” for example, or “In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” I recommend, though, use of commas in such cases. If it does, it’s called an introductory clause. It may also include a direct object of the verb. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Introductory phrases. Don't miss our introductor If I were you, I would research the case thoroughly. I’d like to introduce you to… Nice to meet you. Use introductory phrases to tell the reader what the author thinks or does in their text. You can use this as an introductory phrase, giving the reader more information about the subject of the sentence or another noun. You should put a comma after an introductory clause or phrase: Though the agency had studied this issue before, it went ahead with another study. E.g. comma. Introductory phrases also set the stage for the main action of the sentence, but they are not complete clauses. Correct: Looking for help, the man fell on his knees to beg. (Introductory dependent clause.) "Next door, the woman screamed." In a well-constructed first paragraph, that first sentence leads into three or four sentences that provide details about the subject you address in the body of your essay. Identify the introductory parts of theseIdentify the introductory parts of these sentences as either phrases or clauses:sentences as either phrases or clauses: 1.1. Shorter adverbial phrases are less likely to merit a comma than longer ones. . No comma is necessary because the introductory phrase is only three words. So there you have it, 30 phrases you can use to make an impressive introduction to business contacts and potential clients, whether in person or in a formal presentation. To use it properly, you need to use a comma after the introductory prepositional phrase to set it apart from the rest of the sentence if the phrase is longer than four words. Use them as introductory phrases to give more information about the circumstances in the main clause. The rain finally over, we left the shelter of the trees and walked on. Here are 20 phrases you can use: 1) Thank you for your message/email/phone call. It helps the reader understand more about the main clause. 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