16 Jun 09
Originally posted by wormwooda comma should never be followed by the word "and" (unless it's a serial comma) [1] & [2]
[1] which is why most good writers do read their text aloud, and change it until it works.
[2] don't have my grammar bible here though, and it's been 20 years...
[3] I tried googling it for a while, but found only things about the difference between which & that
. . . OR "but" (in this situation) [3]
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveMy understanding was that the serial comma (also called the Oxford comma) was more common in the US. It's certainly not commonly used in the UK.
I remember reading a while ago that there are slightly different comma usage rules between US and UK English. In a list the US versions leave out the last comma.
eg. sausage, mash and spam. US
sausage, mash, and spam. UK
[interesting fact eh?]
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by Dr StrangeloveIn UK English, should there be a comma after the list too?
I wouldn't use a comma in either of those examples. They're unnecessary.
The [b]himself could be used, if it was an answer to a question for example: "were Mr and Mrs Brown at home?"
Otherwise, I think not.
I remember reading a while ago that there are slightly different comma usage rules between US and UK English. In a list the US vers ...[text shortened]...
eg. sausage, mash and spam. US
sausage, mash, and spam. UK
[interesting fact eh?][/b]
eg.
Dr Strangelove, Uzless, and wormwood, are members of RHP.
Dr Strangelove, Uzless, and wormwood are members of RHP.
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by ThomasterI wouldn't use a comma after wormwood. I don't think they would in the US either.
In UK English, should there be a comma after the list too?
eg.
Dr Strangelove, Uzless, and wormwood, are members of RHP.
Dr Strangelove, Uzless, and wormwood are members of RHP.
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by Fat LadyI have always used it. I don't think there are any hard and fast definite rules about commas unless it changes the actual meaning of the sentence.
My understanding was that the serial comma (also called the Oxford comma) was more common in the US. It's certainly not commonly used in the UK.
Fortunes have been made by legal experts because of a misplaced comma.🙂
16 Jun 09
Originally posted by MCAIt's perfectly okay to follow a comma with "and" in situations other than lists.
The comma and the "and" are used for the same purpose (i.e to break up the sentence), so there is no need for both (unless in a list).
ex:
I plan to eat lunch with Jesus and Moses will be picking up my laundry.
I plan to eat lunch with Jesus, and Moses will be picking up my laundry.
Without the comma, the first sentence can be confusing when first read because it looks as
though I'm going to say that I'm eating lunch with both Jesus and Moses. The second sentence
is correct and clear.