Punctuating a List

Question

We have a dissagreement about punctuating a list:

I like red, blue, and green cars and small planes.

The proposed corrections are:

I like red, blue, green cars and small planes.

or

I like red, blue, and green cars, and small planes.

I think the first is correct.

Thanks,

Cuc

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Welcome to English Forums!

"I like red, blue, and green cars and small planes." seems the best solution to me for ordinary everyday use.

Sometimes it is a matter of consulting a style manual. Certain publications require that you use a particular style manual when writing for them. If you were writing for a particular publication or institution, you would punctuate according to their style manual. Different style manuals may have different preferences when it comes to the sort of punctuation problem you have presented here.

CJ

Philip · Answer

CalifJimWelcome to English Forums!

"I like red, blue, and green cars and small planes." seems the best solution to me for ordinary everyday use.

Sometimes it is a matter of consulting a style manual. Certain publications require that you use a particular style manual when writing for them. If you were writing for a particular publication or institution, you would punctuate according to their style manual. Different style manuals may have different preferences when it comes to the sort of punctuation problem you have presented here.

CJ

You might also want to try separating the cars from the planes for a cleaner thought: "I like red, blue and green cars; I also like small planes." This may or may not work, depending on the context. Note that I did not use the "Oxford comma" between 'blue' and 'green'. It's optional in most places in the U.S., I believe.

Some would criticize my use of the semi-colon, but I tend to like them very much, trying never to over-use them.

Punctuating a List

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