right/wrong

Drolefille · #1 09-13-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

It is...but most accepted style manuals discourage its use. Each comma is like an "and" so putting a comma in front of "and" is a little redundant. It's my pet peeve because transcriptionist frequently add a comma where I purposely leave one out when I dictate reports. I used to spend hours removing commas from my final reports because I'm crazy!

But it can be confusing if you leave it out. I refuse to drop the serial comma!

(And most of the grammar sites I just googled recommend its use.)

AOII Angel · #2 09-13-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

But it can be confusing if you leave it out. I refuse to drop the serial comma!

(And most of the grammar sites I just googled recommend its use.)

I don't see how it's confusing in the least, but that's my opinion.

Drolefille · #3 09-13-2007, 08:46 PM

The streets were filled with spectators, shouting protesters and police.

When there's a modifier, it can be unclear whether the modifier applies to both protesters and police or only protesters.

AOII Angel · #4 09-13-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

The streets were filled with spectators, shouting protesters and police.

When there's a modifier, it can be unclear whether the modifier applies to both protesters and police or only protesters.

That's a poorly written sentence whether or not you include a comma. It should be reworded so that modifiers are used for all or none of the series.

Drolefille · #5 09-13-2007, 09:04 PM

Innocent spectators, shouting protesters and police.

Same idea.

I'm not saying it's impossible, just that this is one of the reasons why the serial comma is recommended

AOII Angel · #6 09-13-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Innocent spectators, shouting protesters and police.

Same idea.

I'm not saying it's impossible, just that this is one of the reasons why the serial comma is recommended

I don't concede that it is recommended...I'm pretty sure that the New York Times style manual does not recommend its use. And that is still a poorly written sentence...think of a modifier for police or leave them all out!