[OT, grammar and punctuation] Use of commas in US and British style?

[bloodymage]

Re: Comma usage

The technically correct version is to put a comma after every item in the list except for the last two. However, it is not INcorrect in American English to put a comma after every item in the list.

A comma represents a pause, after all, as well as an indication of a sub-clause.

It's a difference in style, nothing more. Don't worry about it.

Tarek

Partly untrue. It's entirely optional. Neither is more correct than the other. Including the final comma is considered more formal. And that is straight from an English usage handbook. It is simply a difference in style.

 

[the Jester]

I thought that including the final comma was an older form, now more or less going out of style.

I was taught that leaving the last comma out brings the reader's attention to the fact that the little clause that's been set apart is almost over.

 

[Silverthrone]

I was taught to put the coma before the and in a list. To do otherwise is a mistake according to the writing classes I took.

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

Well, there you go, Ryan. Looks like you're technically wrong.

The thing that really bugs me is "I could care less". It means the exact opposite of the phrase people are trying to use, which is "I couldn't care less." I mean, it makes sense, right? So how come so many people get it wrong?

If you couldn't care less, then your caring of the issue in question is as low as it can be. You don't care.

If you could care less, then you obviously do care. Otherwise, how would you be able to care less than you currently do?

Ooh, that's another one that bugs me! Good call!

How about "irregardless"? That's right folks, it's not actually a word. What you meant was just plain old regardless.

I had a science teacher (A TEACHER!) that mispronounced all of the scientific terms.
Nuclear = nuke-you-ler.
Thylakoid membrane = thakaloid membrane.
And the kicker; Specific = pacific.
I'm sure there were more that I've blocked from my memory.
GAHH!!

 

[johnsemlak]

I teach writing classes to foreign students. I'm American but I work with several Brits. We discuss comma usage all the time (yeah, I know, it's pathetic, but it's my work).

I would say that the you can have a comma before 'and' or not. I agree with above postings that it is not a strict grammatical rule but a matter of style. However, consistency is important.

I'm not aware of any particular difference between British and American usage on this issue. Certainly, in American English, either varient is ok, but I think it's more common to leave out the comma before 'and'.

 

[JRRNeiklot]

The last comma used to be required, but in recent years, the standard has been to omit it. Either way is correct. I still put the last comma in, but I am an old fogie who thinks the old ways are the best ways.

 

[NoOneofConsequence]

Some years ago I found that I had developed the habit of saying - "I could care less." As the poster above observed, this had the opposite meaning to what I was intending. In order to correct this, I developed an additional clause to the sentence - so now I say

"I could care less, but I'd be dead!"

 

[brak1]

From A Writer's Reference 3rd Edition, by Diana Hacker.

"Although some writers view the comma between the last two items [in a series] as optional, most experts advise using it because it's omission can result in ambiguity or misreading.

The activities include a search for lost treasure, dubious financial dealings, much discussion of ancient heresies and midnight orgies.

vs

The activities include a search for lost treasure, dubious financial dealings, much discussion of ancient heresies, and midnight orgies.

Without the comma the people seem to be discussing orgies, not participating in them. The comma makes it clear that midnight orgies is a seperate item in the series."

I'm mostly flabbergasted that a writer's reference book example centers around midnight orgies... maybe I should read the rest of this.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Just so long as you know when to use a comma in a series and when to use a semi-colon, I'll be content.

 

[Zhure]

Strunck & White says to omit the final comma in a series unless its exclusion will lead to confusion.

Greg