so that/such that the book had become incomprehensible

[navi tasan]

Which are correct and correctly punctuated?

1) Parts of the book had been eaten by insects so that it had become incomprehensible.
2) Parts of the book had been eaten by insects such that it had become incomprehensible.
3) Parts of the book had been eaten by insects, so that it had become incomprehensible.
4) Parts of the book had been eaten by insects, such that it had become incomprehensible.

We have a 'result clause' here. The fire had destroyed the parts of the books, and as a result it had become incomprehensible.

 

[Tarheel]

I would omit the commas in #3 and #4, but I don't know how book can become incomprehensible -- unreadable perhaps.

If you are talking about a fire, try: "The book had been damaged by fire, and parts of it were unreadable."

 

[Tarheel]

@navi tasan Quick Quiz. Tell me what word is missing in post #2.

 

[navi tasan]

The word is just a letter, but not the kind you send.