Comments on: The Serial Comma is OK with Me

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:21:36 +0000

I go with the majority here—I always use the serial comma. But my example (having to do with screws, washers, and nuts and bolts) is nowhere near as good as those from Miriam and ChrisB, which I had never heard. I’ll use those when explaining from now on!

By: Leisureguy

Leisureguy — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:38:39 +0000

Serial comma always. I used to keep a little list of ambiguities that result from its omission.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:07:42 +0000

I use the serial comma – always have and always will. In fact, it annoys me to no end when others don’t.

By: Henry Pratt

Henry Pratt — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:56:01 +0000

In the course of your well-honed article is the comment, “CMOS observes that the usage is ‘blessed by Fowler’ among other authorities. However, when I looked up the topic in Fowler (1965 edition) I found this remark, which seems neutral at best…”

I think that a reference to “Fowler,” with no other qualification, as in “blessed by Fowler,” should be reserved for the original 1926 edition. The 1965 second edition that the article cites and that some modern authorities prefer, is partly Gowers.

On that view, “Fowler’s” recommendation is firm and clear: “The only rule that will obviate such uncertainties [which he enumerates in the previous paragraphs] is that after every item including the last, unless a heavier stop is needed for independent reasons, the comma should be used….”

Despite Sir Ernest’s seeming neutrality and the recent preference for light punctuation, those of us who were weaned on “Fowler” (1926) have followed his recommendation.

By: Peggye

Peggye — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:18:14 +0000

I just read Deborah’s comments about newspaper print, so it sounds like these publishers have played a role in killing serial commas. I have often tried to remember what were the newspapers’ practices when I was growing up. I tend to think they must have used serial commas a few decades ago, as I would have noticed that the newsprint I was reading was far different from what I was being taught. I often mentally thank my many teachers who were relentless in their desire to impart proper grammer.