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(Comma needed: p.2)

Gilman Punctuation Rules:

Use commas after introductory (a) clauses, (b) phrases, or (c) words that come before the main clause.

Examples:
When I get hungry for Mexican food (,) I head for Taco Bell!
Because her Powerbook was broken (,) she needed to rely upon the computers in the school lab.

Dependent Clauses (Darling et al)

Conquering the Comma (Powerpoint) (Purdue OWL)
Rules for Comma Usage (Darling et al)
Punctuation Between Two Independent Clauses (Darling et al)

Clauses: The Essential Building Blocks (Darling et al)
Proofreading for Commas (Purdue OWL)

Commas with Introductory Elements (Darling et al)
Commas after Introductions (Purdue OWL)
Sentence Types (Darling et al)

Sentence Punctuation Patterns (Purdue OWL)
Using Commas (Purdue OWL)

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(Comma needed: P.2: introductory adverb clause)

Gilman Punctuation Rules:

Use commas to set off an adverb clause that precedes its main clause. Adverb clauses are begun by subordinate conjunctions such as after, although, as, because, if, since, when, and while.

Example:
While I was eating (,) the cat scratched at the door.

Note: Do not use a comma when the adverb clause comes after the main clause:

Example:
The cat scratched the door while I was eating.

Dependent Clauses (Darling et al)
Subordinating Conjunction (Darling et al)

Conquering the Comma (Powerpoint) (Purdue OWL)
Rules for Comma Usage (Darling et al)
Punctuation Between Two Independent Clauses (Darling et al)

Clauses: The Essential Building Blocks (Darling et al)
Proofreading for Commas (Purdue OWL)

Commas with Introductory Elements (Darling et al)
Commas after Introductions (Purdue OWL)
Sentence Types (Darling et al)
Clause Functions (Darling et al)
Dependent Clauses (Darling et al)
Types of Sentences (Darling et al)

Sentence Punctuation Patterns (Purdue OWL)
Using Commas (Purdue OWL)

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Usage
Punctuation & Capitalization
Form
Content

(Comma needed: P.2: introductory phrase.)

Gilman Punctuation Rules:

Use commas to set off introductory phrases such as participial phrases or infinitive phrases or a succession of prepositional phrases. (For a discussion of gerund phrases go here.)

Examples:
Participial Phrase:
Having finished the test (,) she left the room.
Infinitive Phrase:
To get a seat (,) you had better come early.
Succession of Prepositional Phrases:
After the test but before lunch (,) I went jogging.

The Garden of Phrases (Darling et al)

Conquering the Comma (Powerpoint) (Purdue OWL)
Rules for Comma Usage (Darling et al)

Proofreading for Commas (Purdue OWL)

Recognizing Phrase Functions (Darling et al)
Verbal (and other) Phrases (Darling et al)

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Punctuation & Capitalization
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(Comma needed: P.2: introductory word.)

Gilman Punctuation Rules:

Here are some common words that introduce sentences: yes, however, well, no, why, consequently, nevertheless, and moreover.

Example:
Well (,) perhaps he meant no harm.

Conquering the Comma (Powerpoint) (Purdue OWL)
Rules for Comma Usage (Darling et al)
Punctuation Between Two Independent Clauses (Darling et al)

Clauses: The Essential Building Blocks (Darling et al)
Proofreading for Commas (Purdue OWL)

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Usage
Punctuation & Capitalization
Form
Content

(No comma needed: P.2)

Gilman Punctuation Rules:

Do not use a comma when the adverb clause comes after the main clause:

Example:
The cat scratched the door while I was eating.

Conquering the Comma (Powerpoint) (Purdue OWL)
The English House of Commas (Powerpoint)(Darling et al)
Clauses: Building Blocks for Sentences (Powerpoint) (Darling et al)

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Usage
Punctuation & Capitalization
Form
Content