SAT Grammar Strategy

Commas After Introductory Elements

The Easiest Punctuation Points on the SAT

Master sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity with repeatable rules.

5 Min Read

Grammar Rule

Clarity Focus

5 Practice Qs

Identify the subject and verb, then make sure punctuation does not split them or add extra ideas.

Find the subject + verb first. That is the sentence core.
Only add commas around extra information, never inside the core.
Re-read the sentence without the modifier to test clarity.

Commas after introductory elements is the kind of single grammar rule that can earn you multiple points on the SAT Reading and Writing section. Punctuation questions appear on nearly every test, and this particular rule comes up again and again, yet many students either second-guess themselves or have never been taught the pattern clearly. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it: this is one of the most learnable, most predictable question types on the entire exam.

In the next ten minutes, you'll learn exactly what counts as an introductory element, why a comma is required after it, how the SAT tries to trick you, and how to answer these questions with confidence. Let's turn this into free points.

What Is an Introductory Element?

An introductory element is any word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main clause of a sentence, that is, before the main subject and verb. Think of it as a warm-up act: it sets the scene, provides context, or transitions from a previous idea, but it isn't the main event. Here are the five types you'll encounter most often:

Transitional words: However, Furthermore, Meanwhile, Nevertheless
Prepositional phrases: After the long rehearsal, In the final analysis
Participial phrases: Running late for class, Exhausted from the trip
Dependent (subordinate) clauses: Although the data was incomplete, Because the team arrived early
Infinitive phrases: To improve her stamina, To complete the assignment on time

Every one of these requires a comma to separate it from the main clause that follows. That comma is a signal to the reader: "The introduction is over; here comes the main point."

The Rule in One Sentence

When a word, phrase, or clause introduces a sentence before the main subject and verb, place a comma at the boundary between the introductory material and the main clause. That's it. The entire rule fits in one line, and it covers every variation the SAT will throw at you.

Here's a quick visual way to think about it:

[Introductory element], [main subject] [main verb] [rest of sentence].

Your job is to find where the introductory material ends and the main clause begins, then make sure there's a comma right at that seam.

Before we look at SAT-specific strategy, let's clear up three things that trip students up:

"I put commas where I naturally pause." This is the most common misconception. The SAT tests grammar rules, not intuition. Some introductory elements are short and you might not pause when reading aloud, but the comma is still required. Train yourself to look for structure, not sound.
"Short introductions don't need commas." On the SAT, if the introductory element is a dependent clause (even a short one like "If so,") or a transitional word, the comma is needed regardless of length. Don't let brevity fool you.
"A semicolon can replace the comma here." No. A semicolon requires an independent clause on both sides. An introductory dependent clause cannot stand on its own, so a semicolon after it is always wrong. This is one of the SAT's favorite trap answers.

Here's exactly how to handle these questions on test day:

Step 1: Find the main subject and verb. Read the sentence and identify who or what is doing the main action. Everything before that subject is your introductory element.
Step 2: Check the boundary. Is there a comma right before the main subject? If not, the correct answer will add one.
Step 3: Eliminate the semicolon. If one of the answer choices uses a semicolon after the introductory element, cross it out immediately, it's a trap.
Step 4: Watch for misplaced commas. Wrong answers often scatter commas inside the introductory phrase or between the subject and verb. The rule calls for one comma at the boundary, not several commas throughout.

Signal words to watch for: When a sentence begins with Although, Because, While, When, After, Before, If, Since, Despite, However, Furthermore, Moreover, Nevertheless, or In addition, you're almost certainly looking at an introductory element that needs a comma. Train your eye to spot these words at the start of a sentence, they're your shortcut to the right answer.

Practice Commas After Introductory Elements with SAT-Style Questions

Let's put this to work. The following questions are styled after real SAT Reading and Writing passages. For each one, find the introductory element, locate the boundary, and choose the answer with the comma in the right place.

Passage

After months of careful preparation the research team published its findings in a respected journal.

easy