Comma?

Question

"Nevertheless, without openly admitting it, he was devoted to Boxer; the two of them usually spent their Sundays together in the small paddock beyond the orchard, grazing side by side and never speaking."

Why is there a comma after the word "orchard." What is the rule that governs that governs that comma?

Philip · Accepted Answer

Why?  I'm going answer with "writer's choice of style".  There is also an element of ellipsis here, with the understanding of an eliminated "while".  Others may offer better reasoning.

Odessa Dawn · Answer

Philip, I do not understand that construction I am going ...

Philip · Answer

Odessa DawnPhilip, I do not understand that construction I am going ...

I can understand why it might seem strange to you. It's a use of the present continuous to indicate an action in the immediate future. A parent might say, "If you don't finish your vegetables right now, I'm going to send you to your room with no dessert."

Odessa Dawn · Answer

Thanks.

PhilipA parent might say, "If you don't finish your vegetables right now, I'm going to send you to your room with no dessert."

(to is an essential part)—I thought it is OK to be dropped.

Philip · Answer

Odessa DawnThanks.PhilipA parent might say, "If you don't finish your vegetables right now, I'm going to send you to your room with no dessert."(to is an essential part)—I thought it is OK to be dropped.

It is, indeed, an essential part here.

GPY · Answer

Without a comma, I try to make "orchard grazing" into a phrase before realising this doesn't work and having to backtrack.

Philip · Answer

GPYWithout a comma, I try to make "orchard grazing" into a phrase before realising this doesn't work and having to backtrack.

That's the "better reasoning" I was hoping for. Thanks. GPY.

Comma?

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