and precious paintings

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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azz
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and precious paintings

Post by azz »

a. The diamonds and precious paintings that were on the walls were stolen.
b. The diamonds, and precious paintings that were on the walls, were stolen.

I think (a) is incorrect. It seems to be saying the the diamonds were on the walls as well as the precious paintings. I think we should have 'the diamonds and the precious paintings....'

I think (b) is correct, but it is saying that all the diamonds and also some of the precious paintings that were on the walls were stolen. In other words, it is saying that not all the precious paintings that were on the walls were stolen.

Is that correct?

Many thanks
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Alan
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Re: and precious paintings

Post by Alan »

(A) is not ungrammatical, simply poorly punctuated.
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