Many sentences begin with an introductory element. Use a comma after it:
Because
it was raining,
the game was postponed.
On his second try, he scored a goal.
Tired and discouraged, he mobilized himself for one final effort.
Note: Omitting this comma is one of the 20 most common grammatical errors.
On his second try, he scored a goal.
Tired and discouraged, he mobilized himself for one final effort.
Note: Omitting this comma is one of the 20 most common grammatical errors.
Exception: You may
omit this comma if the whole sentence is short: "Later that night he
phoned again."
Exception to the exception:
Always use a comma if you need one to make the sentence clear.
So where does that leave us? Just use the comma. Nobody will complain that you "might" have been able to leave it out.
So where does that leave us? Just use the comma. Nobody will complain that you "might" have been able to leave it out.
When
the Phrase (or Clause) Comes After
Notice
this, however: When the phrase or clause comes afterward, you rarely
need a comma:
Clause before: Because
it was raining,
the game was postponed.
Clause after: The game was postponed [no comma] because it was raining.
Clause before: On his second try, he scored a goal.
Clause after: He scored a goal [no comma] on his second try.
Clause after: The game was postponed [no comma] because it was raining.
Clause before: On his second try, he scored a goal.
Clause after: He scored a goal [no comma] on his second try.
