In the corrected form the sentence is given greater force by having the reader's attention directed specifically to the thought of prime importance, the setting of the watches. And so with the following sentences. Note that the second in each case is made more forceful by centering the attention on what is most important in thought.
The saloons were not allowed after January 1 to keep open on Sunday, and half of them gave up their licenses.
As the saloons were not allowed after January 1 to keep open on Sunday, half of them gave up their licenses.
He fell from the sixth story and was able to walk away without assistance.
Though he fell from the sixth story, he was able to walk away without assistance.
156. Ellipsis.—Ellipsis is the omission of a word or phrase necessary to the meaning of a sentence. An ellipsis is poor when the words omitted cannot readily be understood from the context. Pope's line,
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
is an illustration of good ellipsis because the word is can readily be substituted from the context. The following ellipses, however, are not good:
Louis Flanagan is helping his brother Silas cut wood and numerous other things.