So do the following_,_ and most new words

[suprunp]

Nouns ending in vowel + o have plurals in -s (e.g. radios, zoos). So do the following, and most new words ending in -o that come into the language:

Singular

Plural

commando

commandos

(the list of words goes on)
(Practical English Usage, # 523)

What is the reason for using the comma in bold and red?

If there was no comma would it be perceived that "that come into language" modified not only "most new words ending in -o", but also "the following"?

Thanks.

[5jj]

If there was no comma would it be perceived that "that come into language" modified not only "most new words ending in -o", but also "the following"?

No, I don't think so. In speech there is a natural slight pause after 'following' and 'and' introduces a different item; the comma is natural; its absence would not be a tragedy.

[TheParser]

[QUOTE=suprunp;805359] So do the following, and most new words ending in -o that come into the language:



ONLY A NON-TEACHER'S OPINION


I think that there's a comma because the complete sentence may be something like:

So do the following, and [so do] most new words ending in -o that come into the language.

Or in less elegant language: The following words do so, and most new words ending in -o that come into the language also do so.