Answers Quote by Lynne Truss
“Thurber was asked by a correspondent: "Why did you have a comma in the sentence, 'After dinner, the men went into the living-room'?" And his answer was probably one of the loveliest things ever said about punctuation. "This particular comma," Thurber explained, "was Ross's way of giving the men time to push back their chairs and stand up.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Eats, Shoots & Leaves, 2003
Thurber explains a comma’s purpose as giving people time to stand, illustrating punctuation’s role in pacing and clarity.
In simple terms: A comma can create a pause for action.
Key Takeaway
Use punctuation to guide reading flow.
Themes
language
punctuation
communication
humor
Mood
educational
playful
Type
instructional
humorous
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- editing
- public speaking
- teaching grammar
Key Concepts
syntax
timing
clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- When does a pause enhance meaning?
- How can punctuation affect tone?
A Different Perspective
Over‑punctuation can disrupt rhythm.
![“Brackets come in various shapes, types and names: 1 round brackets (which we call brackets, and the Americans call parentheses) 2 square brackets [which we call square brackets, and the Americans call brackets]” quote by Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b33/lynne-truss-4153_brackets_brackets-come-in-various-shapes-types-an_222507.jpg)
