PiyushK wrote:
Thanks for the reply.
I think comma after
in the air is not required.
Here is one official question in which an adverbial phrase is placed in between. Could you please help juxtapose current question with following question.
although-various-eighteenth-and-nineteenth-century-american-88063.htmlAlthough various eighteenth and nineteenth-century American poets had professed an interest in Native American poetry and had pretended to imitate Native American forms in their own works,
until almost 1900,scholars and critics did not begin seriously to study traditional Native American poetry in native languages.
(incorrect because of until almost 1900)
Here is the thing - I know that whatever GMAC says has to be taken to be inviolate, but understand that grammar is less about rules and more about logic. No two sentences are the same and it all depends on the context.
Look at two sentences:
Various poets pretended to imitate Native American forms in their own works, until almost 1900.
or
Various poets pretended to imitate Native American forms in their own works until almost 1900.
Do you need the comma? Do you use the comma? No.
Now look at two more sentences:
Until almost 1900, scholars and critics did not begin ...
or
Until almost 1900 scholars and critics did not begin ...
You almost always use a comma when an adverbial phrase starts the sentence.
Now the point is that "until almost 1900" could logically go with both clauses and even though the commas clarify the sentence, it may still be considered unclear because there is a better option available. Also, "begin to study" should not be split up since it becomes awkward. So the adverb "seriously" should come before "begin".
Note that official explanations will not point out all errors with a sentence so don't put too much faith in them.
As for the original question, notice that
The Eastern and the Common appear equal in size when they are seen on a branch or in a nest, in the air.
This makes no sense and it is obvious that 'in the air' belongs to the main clause. The commas also clarify this situation. Hence there is nothing wrong with this sentence.
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