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Brandy Balls Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Comma Use with 'And'

I often have to proof/edit a career profile section for a newspaper supplement. As such, they love writing extensive lists within the text. What is the rule when it comes to comma use before 'and'? A few examples:

"Includes wages, salaries, incentives, bonuses, and commissions and benefits provided to improve employees' quality of life."

"Design and develop programs and tools which help managers and employees establish performance standards, identify ways to improve performance, and assess and document work performance."
  

Top answer

In lists, the comma before 'and' (called the 'serial comma') is usually omitted in Am practice and retained in Br practice. So style guides will vary.

— Mister Micawber

  • In lists, the comma before 'and' (called the 'serial comma') is usually omitted in Am practice and retained in Br practice.
  • So style guides will vary.
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3 Answers
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In lists, the comma before 'and' (called the 'serial comma') is usually omitted in Am practice and retained in Br practice. So style guides will vary.
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Ah, thanks. It also gets complicated when there are items in the list that are also connected with 'and', such as "Help with labour and reconcilliation, payroll, petty cash, terms and conditions, and PR", for example.

There are plenty of "and"s flying around in these texts. Is it a sin to have them all around the show, or am I being too ****?
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Well, you've 'commaed' them correctly. It shouldn't really bother the reader. Sometimes re-ordering the items will help. Or you might consider the ampersand: it is common in CVs.

Help with labour & reconciliation, terms & conditions, payroll, petty cash, and PR.
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