• A prepositional phrase may come at the beginning of a sentence.

A prepositional phrase that begins a sentence is also called an

introductory phrase.

• If a prepositional phrase that begins a sentence is four or more words, place a comma after the phrase.

In the year 1783 scientific progress met old-fashioned beliefs. On an otherwise normal day a group of French villagers got quite a surprise.Down from the sky a strange creature slowly floated. With pitchforks and other farm tools the villagers struck the creature. Under this furiousattack the creature finally stopped moving.

Take a look at this paragraph. Where are the prepositional phrases?

In the year 1783,scientific progress met old-fashioned beliefs. On an otherwise normal day, a group of French villagers got quite a surprise.Down from the sky, a strange creature slowly floated. With pitchforks and other farm tools, the villagers struck the creature. Under this furiousattack, the creature finally stopped moving.

Take a look at this paragraph. Where are the prepositional phrases (a.k.a. introductory elements)?

*Normally, you wouldn’t find this many introductory elements in one paragraph!

To the eighteenth-century villagers the object from the sky looked like a monster. At the time of the monster’s visit very few people had ever seen a balloon. From his science studies Professor Jacques A. C. Charles had learned that a newly discovered gas called hydrogen weighed lessthan air. When he filled a sack with this gas, the sack floated into the air. From the heart of Paris Charles had released his balloon and then watched as it floated away. In their attack the villagers destroyed the first hydrogen balloon.

Here is the next paragraph. Where should the commas go?

To the eighteenth-century villagers, the object from the sky looked like a monster. At the time of the monster’s visit, very few people had ever seen a balloon. From his science studies, Professor Jacques A. C. Charles had learned that a newly discovered gas called hydrogen weighed lessthan air. When he filled a sack with this gas, the sack floated into the air. From the heart of Paris, Charles had released his balloon and then watched as it floated away. In their attack the villagers destroyed the first hydrogen balloon.

Here is the next paragraph. Where should the commas go?

Where do the commas go?

1. In the early morning the balloonists took flight.

2. Across the entire field balloons were spread out like sheets.

3. Below the green balloon the ground swept by quickly.

4. Of all the early balloonists who was the greatest?

5. After crossing the English Channel they landed in a forest.

Where do the commas go?

1. In the early morning, the balloonists took flight.

2. Across the entire field, balloons were spread out like sheets.

3. Below the green balloon, the ground swept by quickly.

4. Of all the early balloonists, who was the greatest?

5. After crossing the English Channel, they landed in a forest.

Today’s Writing Challenge:

Use introductory phrases in your writing, and put the commas in the correct place.

Hot Writing Tip: Using introductory phrases makes your sentences complex. Complex sentences, mixed with simple and compound sentences, really help you “kick it up” a notch. Go for it!