Use a comma after an introductory clause (when/although/because/after/since/if) (L.5.2 deepened)

Apply the introductory-clause comma rule (MG-11): subordinator (when/although/because/after/since/if/before/while/unless) + subject + verb + COMMA + main clause. Distinguish from short introductory PHRASES (under 5 words) where the comma is optional. Apply at least 1 per literary essay.

Mastery threshold

90%

Min instances

Typical minutes

Spaced intervals (days)

1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60

Prereqs

Use commas after introductory elements, with yes/no, tag questions, direct address, and series (L.5.2.a-c)

Successors

eng.g6.s.gr.subordinate_clause_advanced
(not yet loaded)

Common misconceptions

Drops the comma after a long introductory clause ('When Esperanza arrived at the labor camp she had lost everything' — comma needed after camp).
Adds a comma between the subordinator and its subject ('When, Esperanza arrived ___' — no comma; sub directly attached to subject).

Exercise pool (1)

Diff	Stem	Type
3	Audit 1 paragraph of YOUR draft. Find every sentence with an introductory clause (when/although/because/after/since/if). Confirm comma...	intro clause audit