Page:The king's English (IA kingsenglish00fowlrich).pdf/249
nothing so easily exposes a writer to the suspicion of being uneducated as omission of commas against nearly universal custom. In the examples that follow, every one will see at the first glance where commas are wanting. When it is remembered that, as we have implied, an author has the right to select the degree of intensity, or scale, of his punctuation, it can hardly be said that grammar actually demands any stops in these sentences taken by themselves. Yet the effect, unless we choose to assume misprints, as we naturally do in isolated cases, is horrible.
It may be asked can further depreciation be afforded.–Times.
I believe you used to live in Warwickshire at Willowsmere Court did you not?–Corelli.
The hills slope gently to the cliffs which overhang the bay of Naples and they seem to bear on their outstretched arms a rich offering of Nature's fairest gifts for the queen city of the south.–F. M. Crawford.
'You made a veritable sensation Lucio!' 'Did I?' He laughed. 'You flatter me Geoffrey.'–Corelli.
I like your swiftness of action Geoffrey.–Corelli.
Good heavens man, there are no end of lords and ladies who will...–Corelli.
Although we are, when we turn from taste to grammar, on slightly firmer ground, it will be seen that there are many debatable questions; and we shall have to use some technical terms. As usual, only those points will be attended to which our observation has shown to be important.
1. The substantival clause.
Subordinate clauses are sentences containing a subject and predicate, but serving the purpose in the main sentence (to which they are sometimes joined by a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun, but sometimes without any separate and visible link) of single words, namely, of noun, adjective, or adverb; they are called respectively substantival, adjectival, or adverbial clauses. Examples:
Substantival. He asked what I should do. (my plan, noun)
Adjectival. The man who acts honestly is respected. (honest, adjective)