And serial comma

But I do. Yes, when researching this post, I read that most languages do not use the serial comma. I almost always use serial commas. There are rare occasions when, as you say, it can make things confusing, but I think it more often does the opposite. Spinning Words 2—The Fiber. You know, Melissa, I started to get a little hissy as I was reading this post.

Well, not this time! The rule of thumb that I was given years ago was that it was a wasted punctuation and not needed. More recently, I had one of those literary geniuses say that it should be there and that people who leave it out are incorrect. Thank you, my dear, for correcting both of those view points. That answers that! Can we say, proof read and then decide? Thank you, thank you, thank you! I think some folks tend to use style guides and fail to realize that they address style rather than grammar.

Glad I could be of help, Evelyn. Now you are free to use the serial comma or not as you choose. In section 6. Chicago strongly recommends this widely practiced usage. Clearly I need some sort of pill for my typing. You get the point, anyway. Editable comments, anyone? I tried to install editable comments, but alas, it did not work.

Some kind of conflict with the latest version of WordPress. Until a few years ago, I was a non-serial kind of gal. I tend to use the serial comma a lot lately, but I used to follow AP style religiously, which meant leaving out that last comma. Back then, I would put two spaces after any punctuation that marked the end of a sentence. Oh yes, and I indented all my paragraphs five spaces or one tab. Boy, things sure have changed. When I started freelance writing, I became more aware of the mechanics and consistency of my writing, and I had to develop a bunch of new habits.

I have to say, using the serial comma came easily. It was the single space after the end of a sentence that took a while to get used to. Melissa, I have a question. I speak regularly to my best friends: Jane Doe and God. Or, for some grammatical reason, is that wrong? Oh yes, you could use a colon instead.

That works nicely. I think it makes the sentence a lot sharper, so if you were going for a warm tone or flowing language, the commas might be more effective. As much as I like using the less common punctuation marks colons, semicolons, etc.

Then again, sometimes I get on a kick with some punctuation mark or other. Like right now, I love the em dash. Sometimes I use none of the above and strive to only use commas.

I think of punctuation like the rests in music; where silence, pauses and rhythm are created. How about an article of using punctuation creatively? With articles, blog posts, and website copy, I like to keep it straight for the most part but I also enjoy ripping off the chains of conformity and having a little fun with language and punctuation. I like your idea about an article on creative punctuation. Whenever I get stuck whether to use a serial comma or not, I read it out loud to hear if it might sound confusing or misleading.

Besides, my style of writing is pretty close to how I actually speak. It is a lot like music, I like that analogy. Just a thought. Thanks for the intriguing thought on the subject. I do double all the time and might hurt myself if I stopped. Except for text messages and Twitter. Double spaces at the end of a sentence went out years ago. Get on board! Thanks for clarifying about the colon, Melissa. I think I probably I use too many commas a lot of the time.

A writer or publishing style should use or omit the serial comma consistently, which aids in clarity. In cases where using a serial comma may introduce ambiguity, we prefer to recast the sentence. For items with serial commas within parentheses, would you separate each item by commas or semicolons?

For example:. Timmy has cars red, green, and blue , bouncy balls white, gray, and pink , and blocks purple, brown, and black. Timmy has cars red, green, and blue ; bouncy balls white, gray, and pink ; and blocks purple, brown, and black. My 13yo daughter was asking for my help with one issue.

Knowing the rule about serial semicolons, she wrote this sentence in an essay:. I told her the semicolon should have been a comma because the phrase in question came at the beginning of the sentence, versus after the lead-in about Virginia's historical sites.

But am I right on this? Your daughter had the right instinct, noting the many commas in the sentence. But the comma is correct because there are two items Mount Vernon and Monticello , so she has a pair rather than a series. Unless my browser is parsing a character wrong, there seems to be a missing uppercase or comma in the following sentence: "Who would object to unambiguous prose?

Let us not be afraid to use parentheses along with colons full disclosure: I just don't like serial semicolons. McCarthy presented on: the annual budget, his plans to hire for three new positions director of operations, a chief financial officer, and a human resources assistant , the fundraising efforts of the development committee which expects to meet its goal by the end of the fiscal year , the recent accomplishments of the committees on accessibility, research, and sustainability, and the restructuring of the product development team.

You really don't even necessarily need the colon then, and no matter how you slice it, the sentence is long-winded as hell.

That's its own issue. We invite you to comment on this post and exchange ideas with other site visitors. Comments are moderated and subject to terms of service. Skip to content Advice from the Editors. Serial Commas Perhaps no mark of punctuation ruffles feathers more than the serial comma also called series comma , Oxford comma , and Harvard comma.

Serial Semicolons When items in series themselves contain commas, additional punctuation is needed to clarify the items. The addition of serial semicolons makes clear which items belong together and makes the sentence easier to read: In his report, Mr. Work Cited Victor, Daniel. McCarthy presented on the annual budget: the plans etc.

Thanks, Bob. Your e-mail address will not be published. Submit Comment. Kathy Jorgensen 01 October AT PM I read the "colon in a list" section of the link you posted in your response to Kim McDonald's question about using a colon after "on," and it contradicts your response. Here it is, cut and pasted: Introducing a Series or List Use a colon with the phrases as follows and the following. Use a colon before a series or list only if the words that introduce the list make up a complete sentence: To make a cake you need a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt.

If the words before the colon do not constitute a sentence, do not use a colon: To make a cake you need butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, leavener, and salt. Lily Thompson 25 September AT PM Question: I remember being taught granted, a long time ago that when using serial semicolons in a list, one would use a comma for the very last semicolon. Perri 28 September AT PM I haven't been able to find an answer to this question: How do you end the series of semicolons if the last element isn't the end of the sentence?

Michael H Lee 22 January AT PM Is it appropriate to use a semi-colon instead of a comma to separate two items in a list, where one item includes commas as part of the description? Bill R. In consultation with the Chief Investment Officer and System consultants, recommending investment policies and strategies to the Board [Section d ]; B. Being an American editor, it would be quite strange to me to not use the period after Mrs. I strongly feel the serial comma makes the sentence more clear so that no matter who reads it, they will understand it.

To me, as one whose editing and teaching has had to adapt to both U. Though I left Britain 40 years ago, the Oxford comma is still a little foreign to me, but a North American edition of a book of mine first published in Australia had plenty of them added. Objecting to that would have been pointless — and a little pompous! Thank you very much for distinguishing between British and American usage of the serial comma. Can you recommend a British text that deals with grammar and punctuation?

I must be one of the unusual Americans who learned not to use the serial comma when I grew up in Central Illinois. I find that comma very strange, and always assumed it was British! What style were my teachers using when they taught us back in the early s?? Next post: Affect vs Effect. Home Top 10 Resources for Writers.

US The serial comma is largely down to preference, and different style guides will tell you different things. In my opinion the key is flexibility. US residents' perceptions of dog welfare needs and canine welfare information sources. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science , 2 2 1 , Didn't find what you need?