| Author |
Message |
    
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 22
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 11:51 am: |     |
When I learned to write, it was customary to use a comma after each item in a series: I learned this in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Now, I notice that young people omit the last comma. I know AP style says not to use it before the conjunction in a simple series -- but I like it better the old way. Anyone agree with me? |
bella
Citizen
Username: Bella
Post Number: 247
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 1:16 pm: | |
Amen.
I covered this in an old topic about pet peeves. |
njjoseph
Supporter
Username: Njjoseph
Post Number: 1747
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 1:31 pm: | |
I learned (late 1960's, early 1970's) that the last comma in a series was optional, and at the time, it seemed like the last comma was never to be found. My preference is to omit it; the sentence "flows" better without it (whatever THAT means ). |
Soda
Citizen
Username: Soda
Post Number: 788
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 1:59 pm: | |
So, Shoshannah, how's life without Jerry these days? Have you heard that he's about to become a father for the SECOND time? Are your buddies at Channel 4 getting fed up yet with your fashion spots? Do you seriously believe that anybody at the station or out here in TVland actually gives a crap about the latest $700 Capri Pant Set? (Well, maybe Linda Lopez, but only when it comes with a chain belt with a huge crucifix clasp...)
Are you still palling around with Lizzy Grubman and Monica Lewinsky these days? I saw them, but couldn't seem to find you at the GQ Awards the other night. (I looked) Did you meet Denzel? He's married, you know...Have you thought about getting your stomach stapled? It did such wonders for Al "half as funny as I used to be" Roker!
Anyhow, keep up the strong front. Your signature line of swimwear may not be taking off yet, but ya never know... Maybe you could develop a sense of humor and fill in for Joy Behar on "The View" when she's hospitalized from chronic hairspray poisoning... Gotta run, Dear. There's a sale over at Helen Hirsch. You wanna go with? |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 139
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 5:18 pm: | |
I'm a technical writer, and I can assure you that the serial comma is a frequently debated issue. There's no consensus on its use, therefore every style guide, company, publisher, and institution has its own standard.
Personally, shos, I SO TOTALLY LOVE the serial comma; like the semicolon, I never leave home without one. |
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 581
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 6:57 pm: | |
I prefer to see them left in, but I have decided to leave them out because that way if I forget one it won't be wrong. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 363
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2002 - 9:02 pm: | |
I say let's shoot that last comma! They're everywhere! There just isn't room for all of 'em. At least round them up and send them to Vermont or something. One of them ate my tulips! And then we'll...
oh...
sorry, got my threads tangled.
~ ~
0 0
<
\_/ |
ashear
Citizen
Username: Ashear
Post Number: 484
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 8:47 am: | |
My job involves an enormous amount of writing and I would never abandon the serial comma. The reason the AP (and NYT) leave it out is to save those precious column inches. When in doubt on these issues I generally turn to Bryan Garner’s excellent “Dictionary of Modern American Usage.” He points out that “omitting the final comma may cause ambiguities whereas including it never will.” |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 142
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 1:23 pm: | |
To my parents, Paul and Stephanie.
For lunch we ordered BLT, peanut butter and tuna sandwiches from the delicatessen.
Here lies Charlie Weeks, a lawyer and an honest man.
Door prizes will include lab equipment, books written by members of the bio department and a fruitcake.
|
njjoseph
Supporter
Username: Njjoseph
Post Number: 1752
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 1:42 pm: | |
Thegoodsgt: there's only one way to read correctly your examples; there's no ambiguity.
For example, the "other" meaning that you are thinking of:
To my parents, and Paul and Stephanie
For lunch we ordered BLT (sandwiches) and peanut butter and tuna sandwiches....
Here lies Charlie Weeks and a lawyer and an honest man.
Door prizes will include lab equipment and books written by members of the bio department and (written by) a fruitcake.
I see absolutely no ambiguity in your examples. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 4:14 pm: | |
Certainly there is no ambiguity in #3. The verb gives it away. In any event, what's the big deal to use the serial comma before the conjunction? It looks better in print. I, for one, will not cease using it. Let them edit me. |
notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 367
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 4:27 pm: | |
Excellent examples. What if his parents are not Paul and Stephanie? How could you know that for sure, given that phrasing and punctuation? |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1016
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 18, 2002 - 6:43 pm: | |
I like Paul and Stephanie. I find them ... refreshing. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page