Lesson 4 | Links in a chain: connecting the parts
The ubiquitous and versatile "and"
And. It is everywhere, and it is used by everyone. And it should never be used to start a sentence (or so we learned in grammar school). And if you think about it, “and” has a wide variety of meanings. Let me illustrate.
Walk that slow and you will be late.
(Conditional: If you walk that slow, then you will be late.)
He spoke to them and called out saying, “Do not be afraid.”
(Explanation: He spoke to them, that is, he called out to them saying…)
They ate pizza and chips and salsa.
They swam across the lake, and ran a 5k, and biked a 10k.
(Equal parts that develop one upon another)
The clock struck noon and they got up to leave.
(Circumstances of timing: When the clock struck noon, they got up to leave.)
He called out, “Lazarus, come forth!” And Lazarus walked out of the tomb.
(Cause and effect: He called out… and as a result, Lazarus walked out.)
Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him.
(Purpose: Let him call for the elders so that they may pray over him.)
You cannot rouse a bear from its winter sleep, and neither can you rouse a sluggard from his.
(Comparison: Like a hibernating bear… so also is a sluggard)
He hates broccoli, and he ate it all!
(Objection: Even though he hates broccoli, he ate it anyway.)
So what’s the point? Don’t simply pass by an “and,” thinking it only means “and another thing.” Stop and consider what connection that particular “and” is making.