How many kinds of series are there? Two, the commencing and the concluding.
What is a commencing series? A commencing series is always an incomplete one, so far as the sense is concerned, as it requires something more than the series to complete the sense. It generally commences a sentence; as,
It is only when public opinion, or the strong power of government, the formidable array of influence, the force of a nation, or the fury of a multitude is directed against you, that the advocate is of any use.
—James. T. Brady
The series ends with “or the fury of a multitude,” and the sense is made complete by “is directed against you, that the advocate is of any use.”
A series is often composed of qualifying words; as,
What though it breaks like lightning from the cloud? The electric fire had been collecting in the firmament through many a silent, calm, and clear day.
—Orville Dewey
The words “silent, calm, and clear” qualify the word day and constitute a commencing series, because they require the word day to complete the thought.
What is a concluding series? A series is considered a concluding one when the series is complete with the close of the series. It generally concludes the sentence; as,