Yet the wagging tail was utterly surprising...

[Nessie]

Hi, please look at this sentence:

I liked German shepherds and grew up with one. Yet the wagging tail was utterly surprising and endearing to me given this dog's dire condition.
=> Is it grammatically correct? I think it is because I cited it from a paper. However, the bold part seems very dangle to me. (strange syntax)

Many thanks
Nessie.
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:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Ralf]

Hi Nessie,

The sentence is fine. 'given' here works as a participle and means as much as 'taking into consideration' or 'seeing'.
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[MrPedantic]

Would a comma before "given" make it less strange?

(I hope the condition wasn't acaudescence.)

MrP

[Ralf]

Hi MrP,

I'm mystified; acaudescence - a cau de science - brimming with science - serious? :?:
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[MrPedantic]

It is a very rare condition, much feared by breeders, where the tail suddenly detaches itself in mid-wag.

[Ralf]

Ah, heedless docking!
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[Nessie]

Thanks a lot, MrP and Ralf :)
So whether there is a comma before "given" or not is OK?
_________________
:(... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. :(

Sorry seems to be the hardest word...

[Yankee]

.
Yes.
.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln