How do you mark a prepositional opener?

A prepositional opener is a phrase that begins with a preposition and comes before the main clause of a sentence. You can mark it in a few ways, depending on the context and your writing style:

1. Comma:

* This is the most common way to mark a prepositional opener, especially if it is relatively short.

* Example: "After the rain, the sky cleared."

2. No punctuation:

* If the prepositional phrase is very short and the sentence is not complex, you can omit the comma.

* Example: "In the morning we left for the beach."

3. Em Dash:

* You can use an em dash to create a more dramatic pause or emphasis.

* Example: "Despite all the warnings—the fire raged on."

4. Colon:

* You can use a colon if the prepositional opener introduces a list or explanation.

* Example: "For the trip, we needed: a map, a compass, and a flashlight."

Important Considerations:

* Length: Longer prepositional openers usually need a comma.

* Clarity: If the sentence is complex or the opener is important for understanding, using a comma is generally a good idea.

* Style: Some writing styles prefer more commas than others. Consult style guides for specific guidelines.

Here are some examples of prepositional openers with different punctuation:

* On a bright summer day, the children played in the park.

* At the end of the road, there was a small cottage.

* Despite the obstacles, they persevered.

* For her birthday, she received a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Ultimately, the best way to mark a prepositional opener depends on the specific sentence and your desired writing style.