EditFast Grammar Resource: Commas: Explanation Comma

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Using Commas

The Explanation Comma

The explanation comma separates a clause or phrase of explanation or clarification at the end of a sentence from the main clause. The explanation comma is very much like the introductory comma, except that it precedes something that has been added to the end of a sentence whereas the introductory comma follows something added to the front of a sentence.

Examples:

• Hoping to be on time for the meeting, I ran up the stairs. (introductory phrase followed by an introductory comma)
• I ran up the stairs, hoping to be on time for the meeting. (explanatory phrase preceded by an explanation comma)