Which sentence demonstrates correct introductory phrase comma usage?

Which sentence demonstrates correct introductory phrase comma usage?

• A. After dinner, we went for a walk.
• B. After dinner we went for a walk.
• C. After dinner, we went for a walk, and we enjoyed the evening.
• D. After dinner we went for a walk, and we enjoyed the evening.

Answer: (A)

An introductory phrase sets up the rest of the sentence and is followed by a comma to separate that setup from the main action. In the example, the phrase “After dinner” introduces what happened next, so a comma right after it signals the pause before the main clause, making the sentence clear and easy to read: After dinner, we went for a walk. If the comma after the introductory phrase is missing, as in “After dinner we went for a walk,” the sentence can feel rushed or hard to parse because the introductory setup isn’t clearly separated from the main action. The other forms either add extra punctuation that isn’t necessary for this basic rule or omit the necessary pause after the introductory phrase, which disrupts the intended flow.

An introductory phrase sets up the rest of the sentence and is followed by a comma to separate that setup from the main action. In the example, the phrase “After dinner” introduces what happened next, so a comma right after it signals the pause before the main clause, making the sentence clear and easy to read: After dinner, we went for a walk.

If the comma after the introductory phrase is missing, as in “After dinner we went for a walk,” the sentence can feel rushed or hard to parse because the introductory setup isn’t clearly separated from the main action. The other forms either add extra punctuation that isn’t necessary for this basic rule or omit the necessary pause after the introductory phrase, which disrupts the intended flow.