Which sentence correctly places a comma after an introductory dependent clause?

Which sentence correctly places a comma after an introductory dependent clause?

• A. Because it rained, the game was canceled.
• B. Because it rained the game was canceled.
• C. Because it rained, the game was canceled, period.
• D. Because, it rained, the game was canceled.

Answer: (A)

When a dependent clause opens a sentence, it’s usually separated from the main clause by a comma. Here, “Because it rained” is an introductory dependent clause, and it needs a comma after it before the independent clause “the game was canceled.” That comma signals the break between the introductory idea and the main statement, making the sentence clear and correctly punctuated. The other options fail because they disrupt that standard flow: omitting the comma after the introductory clause makes the sentence feel rushed or misread; placing a comma after “Because” improperly splits the introductory clause; and ending with the word “period” is not proper punctuation for a sentence.

When a dependent clause opens a sentence, it’s usually separated from the main clause by a comma. Here, “Because it rained” is an introductory dependent clause, and it needs a comma after it before the independent clause “the game was canceled.” That comma signals the break between the introductory idea and the main statement, making the sentence clear and correctly punctuated.

The other options fail because they disrupt that standard flow: omitting the comma after the introductory clause makes the sentence feel rushed or misread; placing a comma after “Because” improperly splits the introductory clause; and ending with the word “period” is not proper punctuation for a sentence.