Commas after Fronted Adverbials
A comma after a fronted adverbial is the punctuation mark placed immediately after a word or phrase that opens a sentence to show when, where or how something happens, separating it from the main clause, as in 'Suddenly, the lights went out.' This Year 4 focus builds directly on using fronted adverbials, teaching pupils exactly where the comma belongs.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Find the fronted adverbial: the word or phrase at the very start of the sentence that tells you when, where or how.
- Check where the fronted adverbial ends and the main clause (subject and verb) begins.
- Place a comma straight after the fronted adverbial, before the main clause starts.
- Do not put a comma inside the fronted adverbial itself, only after it.
- Read the sentence back and pause briefly where the comma is, to check it sounds right.
- Remember that even short one-word adverbials like 'Suddenly' or 'Yesterday' still need a comma after them.
Worked example
Add the missing comma to this sentence: 'After the long journey the family finally arrived home.'
- Identify the fronted adverbial: 'After the long journey' tells us when the action happened.
- Find where this phrase ends: it ends after 'journey'.
- Find where the main clause begins: 'the family finally arrived home'.
- Place a comma directly between 'journey' and 'the family'.
- Final answer: 'After the long journey, the family finally arrived home.'
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Insert the missing comma in the correct place: 'Every single evening the old man walked his dog around the park.'
Explain why a comma is needed in this sentence, then rewrite it correctly: 'Without a doubt this was the best day of the holiday.'
The sentences below are missing commas after fronted adverbials. Correct all three: 'In the distance thunder rumbled. Moments later rain began to fall. Eventually the storm passed.'
Free printable worksheet
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