very difficult question

wholegrainand HE CHOSE TO TAKE is not a necessary part of it's definition?

I think it is.

Hi, wholegrain,

I agree completely with your analysis. The comma after "path" makes "that he chose to take" parenthetical, rather than a modifier of "path," as it is absent the comma.

Best regards, - A.

I get it. I should take what I just stated back.

wholegrainSuch a path that he chose to take, is dangerous

Such a path, that he chose to take, is dangerous.

The first means the EXACT same thing right, since SUCH defines the PATH all by itself and HE CHOSE TO TAKE is not a necessary part of it's definition?

Thank you.

This is so highly unnatural in American English.
A

Grammar Geek This is so highly unnatural in American English.
A path such as the one he chose to take is dangerous.

Is the comma in the first one a typo?Hi GG, Sorry to ask - "This" refers to the one with the the second comma?

I guess I'm way older than you! - A.

Edit. If your example were "The path," then it would more clo

I agree with GG that the wording of the original sentence is awkward.
With respect to only the commas, either a pair of them or none at all should be used.

YankeeWith respect to only the commas, either a pair of them or none at all should be used.

Hi Yankee,
Would this effect the meaning?

Best regards, - A.

Edit. Sorry, did you mean that discussion is off-limits?

Hi Avangi

I meant exactly what I said. Nothing more, nothing less.
I think the Wholegrain's original sentences are awkward, and since Barb asked whether the comma in the first was a typo, I stated what I see as a correct evaluation of the comma situation in Wholegrain's sentences. That's all.

I decided not to comment further because I don't think I'd actually use the sen

Got it! Thanks. (I wish I knew how to find out if it's a typo.)

Wholegrain, I assume this is Melville. Which version did you copy from your source? Could you please double-check it? Many thanks! - A.

Edit. Did you know his birthday was yesterday??

I just realized that both sentences DO NOT MEAN the same thing.

One referring to the path that he took and the other referring to the kind of path that he took. DOH

BTW, those sentences are not from Melville. I just took them out of my head.

Also... I've posted this question on another site, in case you are interested.