Question

Which of the following is incorrect:

1) I have just received a letter today that after my work was reviewed last month, I have been invited to join the literary guild in my town.

2) I have just received a letter today that, after my work was reviewed last month, I have been invited to join the literary guild in my town.

I am quite certain only #1 is correct (no comma after "that"); a friend disagrees. Would you kindly point me in the right direction regarding the construction of such sentences and the reasons for the correct answer?

Answer 1

You're definitely right. Number 2 is wrong. .____. Very wrong.

Answer 2

3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/

What your friend is talking about is that. They are saying "after my work was reviewed last month" is a clause.

Answer 3

And if you are thinking the rule for "that" clauses applies, think about what "that" is modifying. Does it modify after or I?