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Goronsky Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Inconsistent use of serial comma okay?
Can we use – and not use – the serial comma within the same work? In other words, I will use it only to avoid ambiguity, as in the example below. Other than that, I prefer not to use it.
I invited the acrobats, President Obama and the Queen of England to a party. (Absence of the serial comma makes it appear as though as 'President Obama' and 'the Queen of England' are the acrobats; thus we should use the serial comma here).
I invited the acrobats, President Obama and the Queen of England to a party. (Absence of the serial comma makes it appear as though as 'President Obama' and 'the Queen of England' are the acrobats; thus we should use the serial comma here).
Top answer
Sure, but context and common sense will almost always make the intended meaning clear. So unless there is real danger of confusion, be consistent.
- Sure, but context and common sense will almost always make the intended meaning clear.
- So unless there is real danger of confusion, be consistent.
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3 Answers
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Sure, but context and common sense will almost always make the intended meaning clear. So unless there is real danger of confusion, be consistent.
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Full marks for producing an amusing example! If in doubt, remove the ambiguity explictly, rather than relying on punctuation. For example:
"I invited the acrobats as well as President Obama and the Queen of England".
The serial comma is not universally accepted. I was taught (in England in the 1970s) that it is NEVER acceptable to place a comma immediately before the word "and".
"I invited the acrobats as well as President Obama and the Queen of England".
The serial comma is not universally accepted. I was taught (in England in the 1970s) that it is NEVER acceptable to place a comma immediately before the word "and".
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Anonymous I was taught (in England in the 1970s) that it is NEVER acceptable to place a comma immediately before the word "and".I always distrust English teachers who use the words never and always in rules. I never use them.
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