Introductory Clauses

Combining Sentences

What is an Introductory Clause?

• A phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence to provide background about when/where/how/why/to what degree something happens.

Clues to Help You Identify Introductory Clauses

Clue 1: There will be a comma after the introductory clause

Clue 2: If you take out the introductory clause, the sentence should still make sense

See examples on next slides…

Clues to Help You Identify Introductory Clauses

Clue 1: There will be a comma after the introductory clause

Example:While at the zoo, Samantha saw her first giraffe.

Clues to Help You Identify Introductory Clauses

Let’s Practice Identifying

As he walked down the cellar stairs, Joe felt a shiver down his spine.

Because she felt lonely, Sue cried in her room.Repeating it for the third time, the teacher

asked the students to sit down.After a long night of homework, Jill rewarded

herself by watching her favorite TV show.

S V

S V

S

V

S V

Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences

Megan rushed to help the victims. She had witnessed the auto accident only

moments before.

COMBINED:

Moments after witnessing the auto accident, Megan rushed to help the victims.

Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences

The salesperson glared at Sandra. He was tapping his foot.

COMBINED:

While tapping his foot, the salesperson glared at Sandra.

Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences

Sally reached into her purse. She was looking for her sunglasses.

COMBINED:

Looking for her sunglasses, Sally reached into her purse.

Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences

Iowa is known as the Corn State. It is one of the leading producers of corn in the

United States.

COMBINED:

Being one of the leading producers of corn in the United States, Iowa is known as the Corn State.

Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences – WACTH OUT!!!

What’s wrong with this sentence?

To survive in this heat, you must water outdoor plants daily.

How do you fix it?

To survive in this heat, outdoor plants must be watered daily.

Practice

Write a sentence for each:After…Before…During…Because she…Despite being…

***IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT & VERB IN EACH***