Education & Reference Grammer question - use of commas

[tombomb]

Grammar question - use of commas

Something was bugging me at work today and it relates to the use of commas. Early on in school i was always of the understanding that you would never put a comma before an 'and', however for some reason either someone told me it or i was taught that you could in fact do this.

My job involves writing letters and this came up today and i was hoping someone could clarify as i seemed to be on my own in my opinion.

When listing a series of events, my understanding was that you would seperate each individual event by a comma.

e.g. 'We built your house, paved the driveway, and washed your car.'

however if the final 2 events were directly linked then there would not be a comma.

e.g. 'We built your house, delivered the tv and installed the aerial.'

I was hoping someone might be able to provide a clarification - thanks

 

[TigerGlory]

As far as im aware, following and with a comma is incorrect grammar. So when you say the following;

'We built your house, paved the driveway, and washed your car.'

It should say;

'We built your house, paved the driveway and washed your car.' (without the comma)

You could also say;

'We built your house, paved the driveway and then washed your car.'

Ive always been taught never to follow a comma with and.

 

[Grammar Police]

In US English, the 'serial comma' is generally acceptable. The UK finds it less so.

As a rule of thumb, UK English permits it when the comma helps to avoid any ambiguity that may otherwise appear in what is written.

I would like to thank my parents, Chief and Fred. (Chief and Fred are the parents)
vs
I would like to thank my parents, Chief, and Fred. (Chief and Fred are also thanked)



P.S. You are forgiven for the typo in the subject.

 

[Lazarus]

This guy can answer all your Grammer questions

 

[tombomb]

In US English, the 'serial comma' is generally acceptable. The UK finds it less so.

As a rule of thumb, UK English permits it when the comma helps to avoid any ambiguity that may otherwise appear in what is written.

I would like to thank my parents, Chief and Fred. (Chief and Fred are the parents)
vs
I would like to thank my parents, Chief, and Fred. (Chief and Fred are also thanked)



P.S. You are forgiven for the typo in the subject.

Thanks for the reply, but im not sure you have really answered my question. Given my example ... which would be correct in Australia?


re. the P.S. - good point ... but not a typo, just a spelling mistake.

 

[Grammar Police]

Thanks for the reply, but im not sure you have really answered my question. Given my example ... which would be correct in Australia?

In practical terms, both can be used freely. The UK approach (no comma before 'and') is "more correct", as Australian English generally follows British English, but this is almost meaningless in today's globalised life.

Frankly, if you're the letter writer, do it your way and tell anyone who doesn't like it to get knotted

 

[Korn]

It's called "Polysyndeton".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polysyndeton

Hemmingway loves this:

and it was dark and there was water standing in the street and no lights or windows broke and boats all up in the town and trees blown down and everything all blown and I got a skiff and went out and found my boat where I had her inside Mango Key and she was right only she was full of water

It's just a type of writing style.

 

[deeman12]

A few English teachers told me off for following 'and' with a comma. It just doesn't feel right to place 'and' between two things which aren't linked.

Also, is it fine to use 'and' a few times in a sentence? I see it done all the time.

i.e, you've broken this law and this law and this law and this law, etc.

 

[rocker_oz33]

 

[Michael Scarn]

Re: Grammar question - use of commas

Something was bugging me at work today and it relates to the use of commas. Early on in school i was always of the understanding that you would never put a comma before an 'and', however for some reason either someone told me it or i was taught that you could in fact do this.

My job involves writing letters and this came up today and i was hoping someone could clarify as i seemed to be on my own in my opinion.

When listing a series of events, my understanding was that you would seperate each individual event by a comma.

e.g. 'We built your house, paved the driveway, and washed your car.'

however if the final 2 events were directly linked then there would not be a comma.

e.g. 'We built your house, delivered the tv and installed the aerial.'

I was hoping someone might be able to provide a clarification - thanks

If common sense comes into it at all, a comma would be used before the 'and', otherwise it seems as though the last 2 are related, as you said. If I were to say that sentence, i would take a pause, therefore i would put a comma if writing it.

 

[tombomb]

Re: Grammar question - use of commas

If common sense comes into it at all, a comma would be used before the 'and', otherwise it seems as though the last 2 are related, as you said. If I were to say that sentence, i would take a pause, therefore i would put a comma if writing it.

comma comes before or after the 'and'?

doesn't seem like there is a clear yes or no answer to my overall question ...

 

[mdc]

Re: Grammar question - use of commas

comma comes before or after the 'and'?

doesn't seem like there is a clear yes or no answer to my overall question ...

The clear answer is that both are perfectly acceptable. Use whichever you're more comfortable with.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

In US English, the 'serial comma' is generally acceptable. The UK finds it less so.

As a rule of thumb, UK English permits it when the comma helps to avoid any ambiguity that may otherwise appear in what is written.

I would like to thank my parents, Chief and Fred. (Chief and Fred are the parents)
vs
I would like to thank my parents, Chief, and Fred. (Chief and Fred are also thanked)

I lol'd

My girl and I have had this discussion a few times, sometimes if I'm helping her type up a cover letter etc. She's from NY so the comma before the and has always looked right to her I suppose, but I wasn't aware you were allowed to do it before we had that discussion.

 

[Nodgey]

Like a lot of things, it has slowly become more acceptable in modern times.

I remember learning in school that one should never put a comma before "and", but I see it all the time now, so it's probably ok in this day and age.

I try not to do it if I can because it still feels wrong to me.

 

[hawkeyehogan]

Re: Grammar question - use of commas

If common sense comes into it at all, a comma would be used before the 'and', otherwise it seems as though the last 2 are related, as you said. If I were to say that sentence, i would take a pause, therefore i would put a comma if writing it.

Who cares on grammar only snobs care.Their must be something terribly wrong with people who can't understand words written in English.

 

[Shemp 54]

Re: Grammar question - use of commas

Who cares on grammar only snobs care.Their must be something terribly wrong with people who can't understand words written in English.

Is that why people are bunging in apostrophes where they don't belong these days, people just don't care any more? Where do you draw the line though? You care enough to write your reply using correct grammar....... I don't think it's a question of not understanding, more a matter of whether we need to maintain a certain standard of grammar and spelling.

 

[JapanFootball]

http://mobile.salon.com/books/feature/2011/06/30/death_of_the_serial_oxford_comma

 

[42DM]

I don't believe that there is any doubt that the standard has dropped in the correct use of the English language. For example, one only has to read through several of the boards on Big Footy to see some glaring examples.
Maybe the teaching in schools, particularly at primary level, has dropped and there is less emphasis on students being taught correctly?

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I use them so people don't think I'm saying things as a complete/full sentence

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

In alot of sentences if you read it aloud, pause for breath, and continue reading then that's where the commas go. Also when different subjects are addressed in the one sentence. Or when lists are compiled in a sentence like dead leaves, rakes, power tools, flamethrowers and the like.