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Is the following grammatically incorrect:

"In part one of the text, things happen quickly."

It seems different style guides do agree that if an introductory clause is not short, then a comma is required.

But they disagree on what qualifies as short. Namely, a few seem to arbitrarily state that it is only short if it is 4 words or less. Others seem to leave it more vague or give specific examples of exceptions with more than 4 words as "short".

Sources:
https://style.mla.org/commas-introductory-phrases/
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... tions.html

That's a tough one. I don't think I've ever heard anyone truly qualify what short is, except for arbitrarily as you state. I guess I always felt if it hindered readability of the sentence, then we had a problem.

I don't know what is what but as far as that sentence goes, I see it as correct.

Grammar Girl specifies it as more than 3 words. Since there is no hard and fast rule, I do not usually ever count it as a true error when one is missing.

What about this case? I received this editorial comment on a review.
"Although probably a hats-off to Kerouac's On the Road,"- comma needed after "although"

But my thinking was that "Although probably a hats-off to Kerouac's On the Road" was one whole introductory phrase and the comma should go there.
If the sentence had been "Although, it's probably a hats-off to Kerouac's On the Road." (full stop) then the comma would go after "although"

Thoughts?

astueve wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 16:54 What about this case? I received this editorial comment on a review.
"Although probably a hats-off to Kerouac's On the Road,"- comma needed after "although"

But my thinking was that "Although probably a hats-off to Kerouac's On the Road" was one whole introductory phrase and the comma should go there.
If the sentence had been "Although, it's probably a hats-off to Kerouac's On the Road." (full stop) then the comma would go after "although"

Thoughts?

I agree with you on this. Commas are needed after introductory phrases and, in this case, "although" is part of the introductory phrase, not an introductory word. See some examples in number 2. of the link below.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writ ... ommas.html
You could ask for a recheck and include a similar link. There is no guarantee the editor will return the points. Good luck.

According to me, it depends on how it will sound if you read it aloud. There are different acceptable styles--some use commas while some do not use them. What is important is to be consistent.

I'd say "three's a crowd." Sadly, I don't make the rules. Grammarly also considers 4 words as "short," which is what I've been using as a guideline.

When an introductory prepositional phrase is very short (less than four words), the comma is usually optional. But if the phrase is longer than four words, use a comma.

Renu G wrote: ↑07 Mar 2019, 22:09 According to me, it depends on how it will sound if you read it aloud. There are different acceptable styles--some use commas while some do not use them. What is important is to be consistent.

I agree with this Renu G. There are indeed varying acceptable styles. And when I write pieces that aren't going to be scored (as our reviews are), I use fewer commas and do choose many of them based on the need for a pause in the rhythm of the sentence. But I find it is safer, in terms of an editor's scoring, to place commas according to English comma rules. The exceptions to these rules are a bit inconsistent, as are opinions regarding the need for a comma based on how the sentence sounds. Some editors will deduct for missing commas if the rules require one. I think the safest bet, if one is worried about their score, is to learn the comma rules and follow them.

I'm sure hee is need a comma.

That's new to me. From the first time I learned the rule about putting a comma after an introductory phrase, I was never thought about the length of the phrase.