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Chariot Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
and
When two items are listed, is "and" necessary? Canand be separated by a comma? They bought books and clothes. (1) They bought books, and clothes. (2)
When three or more items are listed, is and a must? can and be separated by a comma? When is "and" separated by a comma? When does "and" follow the preceding word without being separated by a comma?
They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit. (3)
Thanks.
When three or more items are listed, is and a must? can and be separated by a comma? When is "and" separated by a comma? When does "and" follow the preceding word without being separated by a comma?
They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit. (3)
Thanks.
Top answer
" Yes, and no comma "They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit. (3)" the last comma emphasises that the last item is as important as the rest
- " Yes, and no comma "They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit.
- (3)" the last comma emphasises that the last item is as important as the rest
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7 Answers
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"When two items are listed, is "and" necessary?" Yes, and no comma
"They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit. (3)" the last comma emphasises that the last item is as important as the rest
"They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit. (3)" the last comma emphasises that the last item is as important as the rest
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"They bought books, clothes, food(,) and fruit. (3)" the last comma emphasises that the last item is as important as the rest.
To me, in British English, the comma is not necessary, whereas in American English it is.
To me, in British English, the comma is not necessary, whereas in American English it is.
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I have seen both ways in many works. I am not sure if either way is correct. The opinion that the difference lies in the usage in British English and American English is very helpful. I'd lke to hear more comments. Thanks a lot.
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In general in a list, the commas indicate the omission of "and", so that if "and" is present there is no sense in putting a comma. It's now common to put a comma also before the "and" and this even appears in text-books. I'm not sure that it's a question of AmE or BrE; logically I'd say it's incorrect in both. Maybe someone else would like to comment on this.
However, there may be a comma bef
However, there may be a comma bef
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Hi Chariot
What I said about commas is based on reading books on English usage and grammar.
What I said about commas is based on reading books on English usage and grammar.
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Hello Lewis
Today we'll be visiting Florence, Siena, which you have already visited, and Volterra.
In the above sentence the pair of commas is necessary because 'which you have already visited' is a non-defining clause. It adds more information to Siena.
In the sentence 'My father, who is a doctor, loves me very much", commas are necessary because the clause adds
Today we'll be visiting Florence, Siena, which you have already visited, and Volterra.
In the above sentence the pair of commas is necessary because 'which you have already visited' is a non-defining clause. It adds more information to Siena.
In the sentence 'My father, who is a doctor, loves me very much", commas are necessary because the clause adds
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That was exactly my point: that there can be a good reason for putting a comma before "and".
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