Which punctuation choice is better?

Question

In the following example, would you say that either a comma or a full stop (between "house" and "first") would be the most appropriate choice?

"His whole morning was spent doing odd-jobs around the house. First with sweeping the kitchen floor, and then with raking the fallen leaves in the garden."

Or...

"His whole morning was spent doing odd-jobs around the house, first with sweeping the kitchen floor, and then with raking the fallen leaves in the garden. "

I don't think the clause beginning with "first" can stand on its own as it's directly followed by the subordinate marker "with", but then again, I could be completely wrong. I have read some novels where I have taken note of the author placing a full stop before "first" in sentences with similar construction.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

JJDouglas... around the house. First with sweeping ...

No, you can't use this one. You've already explained why.

Use the one with the comma.

CJ

JJDouglas · Answer

So in this opening passage from The Wind in the Willows, is the punctuation incorrect? Or, at least, by today's standards, as the book was written over one hundred years ago now, and I'm aware that the rules have changed slightly.

The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring- cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash; till he had dust in his throat and eyes, and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms.

CalifJim · Answer

JJDouglasSo in this opening passage from The Wind in the Willows, is the punctuation incorrect?

Sorry. I don't do gotchas.

CJ

JJDouglas · Answer

I'm not quite sure what you are insinuating, but I was hardly trying to catch anyone out. I was just genuinely curious.

Thank you for your first answer anyway.

Which punctuation choice is better?

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