An opening phrase introduces something important about the rest of the sentence, or it wouldn’t be there. We need to be sure it fulfills the purpose for which it was intended. Consider these examples:
● While sitting on the park bench, the perfect plan came to mind.
● Washed and waxed, Jim proudly drove his new car.
● John said on Tuesday he would finish the project.
Who was sitting on the park bench? Was Jim washed and waxed, or the car? Was Tuesday the day John made the commitment, or was that the day he was to finish the project?
Our intended meaning is proper when our words give readers the same picture we had when we wrote them. We want the modifying phrase next to what it modifies.
● While sitting on the park bench, he thought of the perfect plan.
● Jim proudly drove his new car, washed and waxed.
● On Tuesday, John said he would finish the project.
● John said he would finish the project on Tuesday.
Since we read from left to write and think chronologically, information in our sentences are best placed in logical or physical order of occurrence. For example:
● Janet looked surprised when Fred asked if she was married.
● William sent flowers to his sick mom the next day.
● Susan turned and smiled the moment I entered the room.
An introductory phrase is proper when it is placed ahead of the subsequent action.
● When Fred asked if she was married, Janet looked surprised.
● The next day, William sent flowers to his sick mom.
● The moment I entered the room, Susan turned and smiled.
An opening participial phrase (using the -ing verb form) must apply to the main action of the sentence because it’s an ongoing action. You may see professional writers mistakenly introduce an action as ongoing when it actually preceded the main activity of the sentence.
● Closing the oven door, Suzanne set the timer.
● Stepping outside the gate, they turned south.
● Clearing her throat, Corina told him everything.
Closing the door, stepping outside, and clearing one’s throat are of short duration, each one preceding, not coinciding with, the action of the sentence. Therefore, the introductory phrases are incorrectly focused. Let’s make them proper.
● Suzanne closed the oven door, then set the timer.
● Outside the gate, they turned south.
● After clearing her throat, Corina told him everything.
Opening phrases are powerful word tools, but only when they are proper.
