A few days ago
Comma not before “and” in a series anymore?
In school I learned that in a series, a comma is supposed to come before “and.” For example, “He brought pears, apples, and peanuts to the picnic.” I work for an attorney and in legal papers there is never a comma before “and.” It confuses me because I do not know if I should omit the comma in my own work-related writing.
Top 5 Answers
A few days ago
Favorite Answer
Nowadays, either is acceptable. Like you, I was trained to use the comma before “and”, and I think it is more logical and consistent to do so than not. Leaving it out could imply that the last two items go together when in fact that was not the intended meaning. I always use the comma.
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A few days ago
It’s called the “Oxford comma” and has fallen out of favor, as it is thought that the “and” is enough to separate the parts. I’m surprised that an attorney wouldn’t want it–they are usually very particular. I was given this hypothetical dedication to a book by an attorney as a reason he uses it:
“This book is dedicated to my parents, Ann Rand and God.”
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A few days ago
I was taught in school 40 years ago NEVER to put a comma before AND!
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A few days ago
I don’t know! I was taught the same thing. In my work related writing I just keep putting the , before the and unless I hear that there is a formal change in English punctuation.
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4 years ago
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