When we use a word formed from a verb as a describing word, we call it a participle. A participial phrase is a group of words used to describe a noun. We often use a participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence. Look at this example:
Breathing hard, Sarah finished the race in second place.
The word breathing is usually a verb, but in this case, the phrase breathing hard describes Sarah. Notice that a comma comes after the describing words, and the phrase is followed immediately by the noun being described.
Here are more examples of a participial phrase followed by a comma at the beginning of a sentence:
Yelling and screaming, Mary splashed happily into the lake.
Nervous and unsure, the child peeked through the doorway.
Cold and frightened, the ragtag group kept hiking down the trail.
Grinning broadly, Justin bowed to the audience.
Always put a comma after an introductory participial phrase.
▶It’s your turn. Put a comma into this sentence. Holding the gift James rang the doorbell. Did you put the comma after the introductory participial phrase? Good for you.