Exercise 183—Explanatory Expressions
Similar in use to appositives are—
B. Words, phrases, or clauses that separate the subject from the predicate verb, the verb from its object, or the like.
In the natural order of the sentence the verb immediately follows the subject and the object follows the verb. When, for the purpose of explanation, something is inserted between the two, it should be set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. Words that are thus inserted are called appositive or parenthetical expressions and are illustrated in the following:
In Ohio and Kentucky enterprising individuals, evidently taking the suggestion from the popular rural delivery service, have established ice cream routes. Ice cream wagons travel the country roads at stated times so that, with no more trouble than is required to answer the postman's whistle, dwellers on the farms can now secure the hot weather luxury at reasonable prices. The plan, so far as one can tell from present indications, gives promise of meeting with great success.
Rule 7.—Parenthetical expressions should be set off by commas.
Punctuate the following:
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The politics of the city as well as those of the nation must be kept clean. The most intelligent men of the community not the least intelligent should make our political speeches and be our political leaders. The very opposite we must confess is what we see too often. Many business men steadily pursuing their own ends during the day feel that they cannot devote time to politics. We need not search far to discover that too many of them even if they have the time do not care to give it. At election the most influential business and professional men either through lack of interest or through laziness stay at home instead of going to the polls. The men who are elected in nine cases out of ten are not fit to hold office. The blame belongs every one will agree to those who do not vote.
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