§ 13. Subject clauses as a rule are not separated from the principal clause by any stop.

What he learned of farming in that week might have been balanced on the point of a penknife and puffed off. (Galsworthy)

However, a comma is found if the subject clause is of some length and if a subordinate clause is attached to it.

What had saved him from becoming a cross between a lap dog and a little prig, had been his father's adoration of his mother. (Galsworthy)

§ 14. Predicative clauses as a rule are not separated from the principal clause by any stop. A comma is often used when they are joined asyndetically.

Ruth's point of view was that he was doing no more than was right. (London)

My opinion is, she'd come to me. (Weytnan)

§ 15. Object clauses are not separated from the principal clause by a stop. If the object clause precedes the principal clause, a comma may or may not be used.

The silence was so long and deep that he looked up, wondering why the Padre did not speak. (Voynich)

... and what Browning had done for her, Martin decided he could do for Ruth. (London)

§ 16. Attributive clauses.

605. Restrictive relative attributive clauses as a rule are not separated from the principal clause by stops.

You may be sure every smuggler in the Apennines will do for a man who was in the Savigno revolt what he will not do for us. (Voynich)

606. Non-restrictive relative attributive clauses are as a rule separated from the principal clause by a comma.

Tom presented himself before Aunt Polly, who was sitting by an open window. (Twain)

1 turned hastily round, and found at my elbow a pretty little girl, who begged to be directed to a certain street at a consid­erable distance. (Dickens)

607. Continuative attributive clauses are always separated from the principal clause by a comma.

Oliver was frightened at the sight of so many gentlemen, which made him tremble: and the beadle gave him another tap behind, which made him cry. (Dickens)

608. Appositive attributive clauses are never separated from the principal clause by a stop.

The thought that his adored daughter should learn of that old scandal hurt his pride too much. (Galsworthy) She paused with an uneasy sense that instead of defending Kath she was providing ammunition against her. (Lindsay)

§ 17. Adverbial clauses.

609. When an adverbial clause follows the principal clause, no stop is generally used. When it precedes the principal clause, it is separated from it by a comma.

The solicitor addressed me as he descended the stair (Ch. Bronte)

He sank into a silence so profound that Aunt Hester began to be

afraid he had fallen into a trance. (Galsworthy)

He drew the blanket over his head that he might not hear.

(Voynich)

When Phyl called to see how Pearl was getting on, she found her still curled up sulkily in her arm-chair. (Lindsay) Though I had now extinguished my candle and was laid down in bed, I could not sleep. (Ch. Bronte)

If any shareholder has any question to put, I shall be glad to answer it. (Galsworthy)

610. An adverbial clause of result coming after the principal clause, which is usually the case, is often separated by a comma.

The thicket was as close as a brush; the ground very treacherous, so that we often sank in the most terrifying manner. (Stevenson)

ADDITIONAL REMARKS