0
Hunk Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
comma too
"His situation was most suitable, quite the gentleman himself, and without low connections; at the same time not of any family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of hers."
Is there any reason the author uses a semicolon instead of a comma up there?
I'd say, "quite the gentleman himself", "without low connections" and "not of any family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of hers" are all clauses modifying "his situation", so they should be seperated by commas.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Is there any reason the author uses a semicolon instead of a comma up there?
I'd say, "quite the gentleman himself", "without low connections" and "not of any family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of hers" are all clauses modifying "his situation", so they should be seperated by commas.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Top answer
Hello Hunk Here's my 2 cents: The first three clauses tell us that his origins weren't humble; but the "at the same time" clause tells us that they weren't the highest. It therefore has a concessive quality: an "on the other hand" to the first three clauses' "on the one hand". The semi-colon requires a longer pause than the comma, and so marks the point at which the change occurs.
- Hello Hunk Here's my 2 cents: The first three clauses tell us that his origins weren't humble; but the "at the same time" clause tells us that they weren't the highest.
- It therefore has a concessive quality: an "on the other hand" to the first three clauses' "on the one hand".
- The semi-colon requires a longer pause than the comma, and so marks the point at which the change occurs.
- Other members may have other opinions!
- MrP
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
Hello Hunk
Here's my 2 cents:
The first three clauses tell us that his origins weren't humble; but the "at the same time" clause tells us that they weren't the highest. It therefore has a concessive quality: an "on the other hand" to the first three clauses' "on the one hand".
The semi-colon requires a longer pause than the comma, and so marks the point at which the chan
Here's my 2 cents:
The first three clauses tell us that his origins weren't humble; but the "at the same time" clause tells us that they weren't the highest. It therefore has a concessive quality: an "on the other hand" to the first three clauses' "on the one hand".
The semi-colon requires a longer pause than the comma, and so marks the point at which the chan
00
Hi guys,
"His situation was most suitable, quite the gentleman himself, and without low connections; at the same time not of any family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of hers."
Is there any reason the author uses a semicolon instead of a comma up there?
This seems to me to be an old-fashioned, altho
"His situation was most suitable, quite the gentleman himself, and without low connections; at the same time not of any family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of hers."
Is there any reason the author uses a semicolon instead of a comma up there?
This seems to me to be an old-fashioned, altho
00
Hello MrPedantic and Clive,
I didn't at all notice the contrast until you guys pointed it out ; thanks very much for your help.
I didn't at all notice the contrast until you guys pointed it out ; thanks very much for your help.
00
Related Questions