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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Random comma question
As I read fiction I like to try to understand the use of commas I come across that I don't understand. I know a lot of comma use can be arbitrary based on the writer's style. Below is a passage from the Silmarillion by Tolkien. Why is a comma used after the word road? I notice a lot of writer's use a comma like this; that is, before the word "and" even when there is not a new subject. Is it just that the author wants the reader to pause slightly? I appreciate your ideas and help.
"By the arts of Felagund their own forms and faces were changed into the likeness of Orcs; and thus disguised they came far upon their northward road, and ventured into the wester pass, between Ered Wethrin and the highlands of Taur-nu-Fuin."
"By the arts of Felagund their own forms and faces were changed into the likeness of Orcs; and thus disguised they came far upon their northward road, and ventured into the wester pass, between Ered Wethrin and the highlands of Taur-nu-Fuin."
Top answer
Anonymous Is it just that the author wants the reader to pause slightly? That can be the only reason; the two commas (after 'road' and after 'pass') are otherwise unjustified.
- Anonymous Is it just that the author wants the reader to pause slightly?
- That can be the only reason; the two commas (after 'road' and after 'pass') are otherwise unjustified.
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2 Answers
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Anonymous Is it just that the author wants the reader to pause slightly?That can be the only reason; the two commas (after 'road' and after 'pass') are otherwise unjustified.
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> I notice a lot of writer's writers use a comma like this;
In that sentence, writers is a plural, so there is no apostrophe. This is a common mistake, but a very basic one; people who know and care about the rule (and there are still a lot of us around) will be very unimpressed by writing with such a simple error.
To answer your question, you're exact
In that sentence, writers is a plural, so there is no apostrophe. This is a common mistake, but a very basic one; people who know and care about the rule (and there are still a lot of us around) will be very unimpressed by writing with such a simple error.
To answer your question, you're exact
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