Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/06/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have read that, at least in the USA, it is permissible, even conventional, to omit the comma before the 'and' in the listing of names in the title of a firm (e.g., Hart, Schaffner and Marx). Julian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tina Manley" <images@InfoAve.Net> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 9:12 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Good Writing is Harder Than Good Photography > At 08:32 AM 6/7/2005, you wrote: > > >What I'm never sure about is, when listing a series, as above, should > >there be a comma before "and"? > >Douglas > > Google can find anything. Put "commas in a series" in Google and you get: > > Commas in a Series > > Use commas to separate three or more words, > <http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000014.htm>phrases, or > <http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000008.htm>clauses in a series. > > A conjunction goes between the last two items of the series. > > While some authorities say that the comma before the conjunction is > optional, leaving it out may cause confusion, so it is better to include it. > > Words: Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses. > > Phrases: This morning I woke up, got dressed, brushed my teeth, and ate > breakfast. > > Clauses: In fact, the bus was full of people who got dressed, who brushed > their teeth, and who ate breakfast this morning. > > Incorrect: The street was filled with angry protestors, shouting spectators > and police. > (Leaving out the last comma makes it look like the police were shouting, too.) > > Correct: The street was filled with angry protestors, shouting spectators, > and police. > (Makes it clearer.) > > > > Tina > > > Tina Manley, ASMP > www.tinamanley.com > > > http://www.pdiphotos.com > http://www.workbookstock.com > http://www.newscom.com > http://www.americanphotojournalist.com > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >