Introductory Clause Definition
An introductory clause is a subordinate clause that typically comes at the beginning of a sentence. It provides background information and ‘introduces’ the sentence’s main clause.
How do you write an introductory clause?
Like all other clauses, an introductory clause should include a subject and a verb. (If it doesn’t have both of these, it’s an introductory phrase).
Introductory clauses start with adverbs such as after, although, as, because, if, since, while, though, until, and when. These are also called subordinating conjunctions.
As a general rule, introductory clauses tend to set the scene and tell us something that happened just before or during the events of the main clause. They should be related, at least in some way, to the main clause in the sentence.
An introductory clause should also be followed by a comma, separating it from the main clause.
Here’s a break-down of an introductory clause in a sentence:
- Even though it was raining heavily, she still had to walk to school.
The introductory clause is ‘Even though it was raining heavily’ (using the adverb ‘even though’), and the main clause is ‘she still had to walk to school.’ A comma separates the two clauses after the introductory clause.
As you can see, the introductory clause gives the reader some background information about the main clause. First, it explains why she ‘still’ had to walk to school.
It’s also worth noting that you can use introductory clauses at the end of a sentence. While they’re known for ‘introducing’ information, they can add the same information at the end of the sentence and retain the same meaning.
- She still had to walk to school even though it was raining heavily.
When used at the end of the sentence, the clauses don’t need to be separated by a comma.
Choosing where to place the introductory clause often depends on where you want the emphasis in the sentence to be.
Introductory Clause Examples
- Although the walk was long and hard, the view was worth it.
- Once she finished her homework, she was ready to play some games.
- While the weather was sunny, there was still a cold wind.
- Because there was still time left, they headed to the beach.
- Until a better option came along, this would have to do.
Using an introductory clause with dates
We often use introductory clauses when writing dates and times. For example:
- On Wednesday, I’m going to the dentist.
- In July, we’re going on a summer holiday.
- In 1564, Shakespeare was born.
- In the 18th century, novels first became popular.
- At 1 o’clock, I’m going to the new café for lunch.
Like any other introductory clause, they must be followed with a comma. The clauses can also be swapped and used at the end of the sentence (remember to drop the comma!):
- I’m going to the dentist on Wednesday.
- We’re going on a summer holiday in July.
- Shakespeare was born in 1564.
- Novels first became popular in the 18th century.
- I’m going to the new café for lunch at 1 o’clock.
What’s the difference between an introductory clause and an introductory phrase?
An introductory phrase has the same function as a preceding clause but doesn’t include a subject AND a verb. Instead, it contains one or the other.
It relies on the subject or verb in the main clause, but it still provides extra information and helps to set the scene.
There are several types of introductory phrases, such as:
Introductory infinitive phrase
- To be healthy, you should eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Introductory participial phrase
- Feeling tired, he collapsed into bed.
Introductory appositive phrase
- Fun and friendly, Buddy was the perfect dog.
Introductory absolute phrase
- The fog starting to thicken, she took out her torch.
Introductory prepositional phrase
- After qualifying for the competition, he has been practicing every day.
Introductory Words
Certain words, called introductory words, help to connect one sentence to the next. They function in a similar way to introductory clauses and phrases.
There is a wide range of introductory words that you can use to transition between sentences in your writing. Here are some examples:
Introductory words to show contrast
- However
- Although
- Conversely
- In contrast
- Instead
- In comparison
- Comparatively
- Yet
- On the other hand
- On the contrary
- Rather
- Even though
- Nevertheless
Introductory words to add an idea
- Additionally
- Furthermore
- Moreover
- Also
- Another reason
- As well as
- Likewise
- Similarly
- In fact
Introductory words to show the cause
- Accordingly
- Consequently
- As a result
- Because of this
- For this reason
- Hence
- Due to
- Since
- Subsequently
- For this purpose
- Wherefore
- Thus
- For all of these reasons
- This is why
Introductory words to show emphasis
- Admittedly
- As a rule
- Assuredly
- Chiefly
- Particularly
- Especially
- For the most part
- In this case
- Generally speaking
- Obviously
- Singularly
- Undoubtedly
- Unquestionably
- Of course
- Certainly
- Above all
Some of the introductory words you are likely to encounter all the time are: meanwhile, however, still, therefore, furthermore, plus, and moreover. Here are some examples of these super common introductory words in sentences:
- I’m working on my science project. Meanwhile, my sister is at her part-time job.
- It’s raining heavily outside. However, he still had to walk to school.
- It had been a catastrophe. Still, at least she had learned something.
- They had lots of things to do today. Therefore, they wrote a to-do list.
- Many otters have a favorite rock. Furthermore, they use the stone to crack open mollusks and clams.
- She is going swimming today. Plus, she has a piano lesson tomorrow.
- Introductory words are great for expanding your vocabulary. Moreover, they link your sentences together nicely.
How to Use The Different Types of Introductory Phrases
Five main types of phrases fall under the umbrella of the introductory clause definition. Each of these essential phrases serves its purpose within a sentence:
Introductory Prepositional Phrases
The purpose of an introductory prepositional phrase is to add information to the main clause, often concerning location or timing. An introductory prepositional phrase consists of a preposition with a few words following it. Moreover, if the introductory prepositional phrase is longer than four words, it is always directly followed by a comma to set it apart from the rest of the sentence.
Examples of Introductory Prepositional Phrases:
After the scorching hot summer, the grass had all dried up.
- At the beginning of the school year, all students wore brand-new uniforms.
- During the long car journey, the young girl slept most of the way.
- Glancing frantically at my watch, I realized that I was late.
Different rules apply when an introductory prepositional phrase comprises less than five words and does not require a pause. In this case, the comma is optional.
For example:
On the whole, all of the students were very well-behaved.
On the whole, all of the students were very well-behaved.
Both of these examples are correct, as the comma is optional.
Introductory Infinitive Phrase
An introductory infinitive phrase functions as a way to provide information to the reader, often concerning something that is happening. Introductory infinitive phrases can also provide information about the location and other useful information.
Introductory infinitive phrases are easy to spot, as they always begin with the word ‘to.’ They might also include a direct object of the verb.
Examples of Introductory Infinitive Phrases:
- To get the best result, Annie studied every single night.
- To get to the cinema, turn right and the traffic lights and keep going down that road.
- To make the perfect pizza, you must let the dough rise overnight.
- You have to pay attention to get the most out of the film.
Introductory Participial Phrase
A participial phrase is another form of a verb phrase. The function of a participial phrase is to lay the foundations for the main clause, providing the reader with the context they need to understand what is happening fully.
Furthermore, the construction of an introductory participial phrase is similar to that of an introductory infinitive phrase in a few ways. For instance, it may include a direct object and is always directly followed by a comma.
Examples of Introductory Participial Phrases:
- Having completed her homework, Emma sat down to watch her favorite TV show.
- Sprinting at full speed, the boy was the first to cross the finish line.
- Stretching their arms wide, the friends greeted one another with a hug.
- Closing the door gently, the boy sneaked upstairs.
Introductory Absolute Phrase
The purpose of an absolute introductory phrase is to provide additional information to the main clause. But, more than this, an absolute introductory phrase provides context that will inform the reader’s interpretation of the rest of the sentence. To do this, absolute introductory phrases tend to explain how something is done or the reason behind it.
An essential rule about absolute introductory phrases is that they are always directly followed by a comma.
Examples of Introductory Absolute Phrases:
- Despite the sweltering hot sun, the children continued to play on the beach.
- Fighting back the tears, the girl ran out of the classroom.
- With a flicker of envy in her eyes, the girl congratulated her friend on her achievement.
- Even though he did not have much money, the man always dressed well.
Introductory Appositive Phrase
The function of an introductory appositive phrase is to provide an alternative description of a noun in the sentence. Introductory appositive phrases give the reader more information about the sentence’s subject or another noun.
Often, when using an introductory appositive phrase, a comma is required. However, it is not always a necessity. If the introductory appositive phrase is not necessary for the clarity of the sentence, a comma should always be used directly after it.
Examples of Introductory Appositive Phrases:
- A stunning piece of artwork, Megan’s painting was a beauty to behold.
- A keen studier, Robert spent up to 3 hours every night doing homework.
- A drastic change from her old style, the woman dressed very differently than she used to.
- A very talented sprinter, the girl won almost every running race she entered.
Alternatively, if the introductory appositive phrase is necessary to the sentence, a comma is not required after it. However, deciding whether to use a comma after an appositive phrase is essential to determine whether the phrase adds clarifying information about the subject. These clarifying introductory appositive phrases often start with ‘them’ instead of ‘a’ or ‘an’.
Examples of Introductory Appositive Phrases:
- The British band Coldplay was the opening act at the festival.
- The English teacher Mrs. Jackson supervised the playground at lunchtime.
- The youngest student in the class Jenny Baker was late for school.
- The critically acclaimed painting by Renoir was displayed at the gallery.
When to Use a Comma After Introductory Clauses
The dilemma of when to use a comma after an introductory clause is something that confuses a lot of people. So, to make things crystal clear, let’s dive deeper into when it is necessary to use a comma after an introductory clause and when it is not.
Generally speaking, most introductory clauses are followed by a comma because they are dependent clauses, meaning they cannot stand alone as full sentences. The comma’s function directly after the introductory phrase is to separate the dependent clause from the independent one.
Examples of Introductory Clauses With a Comma:
- As the woman turned the corner, she bumped into her childhood friend.
- Due to the horrendous weather, all sporting events were canceled.
- In keeping with the school’s moral values, the students were very kind to one another.
- Despite the long journey, the family arrived excited and ready for the day.
There are, however, some instances where a comma is not required directly after an introductory clause. For instance, when the introductory clause is short, the comma is optional and can either be included or omitted.
Examples of Introductory Clauses With and Without a Comma:
- Clutching her vitals, the girl ran out of the house.
- Clutching her vitals, the girl ran out of the house.
Both of these examples are correct. Here are some more:
Holding her toothbrush, the boy went upstairs to get ready for bed.
Holding her toothbrush, the boy went upstairs to get ready for bed.
Humming to herself, the student bounced down the stairs.
Humming to herself, the student bounced down the stairs.
Introductory Clauses with Dates
While it is not considered a rule that all introductory clauses containing a date must be followed directly by a comma, it is good practice. It includes all essential clauses concerning dates, whether they have the century, year, month, or day.
Examples of Introductory Clauses with Dates:
On the 12th of March 1967, the popular band, The Velvet Underground released their first album.
Next Thursday, I am going to have my very first driving lesson.
- In 1016, King Cnut was crowned king of England.
- In the 18th century, the population of Ireland increased drastically from less than 2 million to nearly 5 million.
If you switch these sentences around so that the date does not appear as the introductory clause, commas are unnecessary. For example:
- The popular band Velvet Underground released their first album on the 12th of March 1967.
- I am going to have my very first driving lesson next Thursday.
- King Cnut was crowned king of England in 1016.
- The population of Ireland increased drastically from less than 2 million to nearly 5 million throughout the 18th century.
