Introductory Phrases

Use a comma following an introductory phrase.

CORRECT:After I finished writing the poem, I edited the article I wrote yesterday.

The consensus regarding this tends to be split half and half. However, I prefer the comma because it allows for the natural pause in a sentence that readers sometimes need when reading. Especially on the Web, reading is done quickly and a sentence can be misread. A comma slows the eye so that the intended meaning reaches the reader.