comma splice [clause coordination]; dash with apposition

Julianus

Senior Member
Korean
Hello.

1. a. This results in a tension in the art world that is largely unresolved the tension between art as a satisfying mode of expression and art as a precious collectible object, between the experience of making and the experience of owning. (from Korean university entrance exam)

Question 1: My book says that in this sentence, dash is used for the additional information about the former, whole sentence. But I think that it is used for the additional information about only 'a tension'. Am I right?

Question 2 : I think that the comma before the second between is used for avoiding a confusion with the first between. Am I right?

Thank you always~.
 
  • 1. I think it expands on what is meant by "tension" in the fifth word of the sentence -- so it is for additional information.
    2. I think the comma takes the place of an "and" which is not being used because both clauses already have "and" so it would be confusing. It also sounds better with a comma ... slightly more dramatic.
     
    The comma in "...object, between..." helps to establish the parallel between the two "betweens", and—as Copyright said—to signal the "and" relationship between the two "between" phrases.
    Without that comma, a reader might (momentarily) think the last "between" phrase modifies "object", rather than "tension".
     
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