Conventions of Composition Rule 5 Practice

1. Wrong: On the hill by the tennis courts beyond the MAC you can find the Vietnam Memorial.

Better: On the hill by the tennis courts beyond the MAC, you can find the Vietnam Memorial.

Explanation: The sentence becomes clearer when the long introductory prepositional phrase is separated with a comma.

2. Wrong: In 1972 The Godfather came out.

Better: In 1972, The Godfather came out.

Explanation: Even though the introductory phrase isn't very long, the sentence seems clearer with the comma.

3. Wrong: After the longest 108 years ever the Cubs finally won the World Series.

Better: After the longest 108 years ever, the Cubs finally won the World Series.

Explanation: The comma helps the reader know when the introductory phrase ends and the main clause begins.

4. Wrong: Of all of the students taking Shakespeare and the Bible only seven memorized all of Hamlet.

Better: Of all of the students taking Shakespeare and the Bible, only seven memorized all of Hamlet.

Explanation: The comma helps the reader to hear when the main clause begins.