Comma

Comma
 

Do you use comma (,) at the end of a list? I've always seen this comma in serious books, but once I asked my teacher and he told me that comma is not used at the end of a list (just as in Spanish). But just now I was reading a book and I've found again the same structure, so I have a doubt. For instance, which one is the correct sentence?

Potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce.

Potatoes, tomatoes and lettuce.

Thanks in advance.

The first one's right, I'm about 95% positive.

I'm not sure though, I could be wrong.

We never use tha last comma, I'd write:

Patatas, tomate y lechuga (without comma)

Thanks, Ferlas :)

No problem.

Lots of subtle differences between the languages that I never seem to pick up on.

I am 100% sure that the last comma is optional in English.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma

Poli's actually right. I'm just very used to writing with the final comma.

I didn't know that comma had even a name! I'm surprised :)

In Spanish serial comma is not optional, it's against the rules, you should never use it. :eek:

When looking it up, I found that a comma between the last two items in a list (called a serial comma) is apparently optional. So, in a general list is appears to be completely optional. Although, at wikipedia.com it gives two good examples of the difference a comma can make.


quoted from wikipedia.com:

In lists Commas are used to separate items in lists, as in They own a cat, a dog, two rabbits, and six mice. In English a comma may or may not be used before the final conjunction (and, or, nor) in a list of more than two elements. A comma used in such a position is called a serial comma or an Oxford or Harvard comma (after the Oxford University Press and Harvard University Press, both prominent advocates of this style). In some cases use or omission of such a comma may serve to avoid ambiguity:

Use of serial comma disambiguating:

• I spoke to the boys, Sam and Tom. – The boys refers to Sam and Tom (I spoke to two people).
• I spoke to the boys, Sam, and Tom. – The boys, Sam, and Tom are separate units (I spoke to four or more people).

Omission of serial comma disambiguating:

• I thank my mother, Ayn Rand and God. – The writer is thanking three people: the writer's mother, Ayn Rand (who is not the writer's mother) and God.
• I thank my mother, Ayn Rand, and God. – The writer is thanking two people: Ayn Rand (who is the writer's mother) and God.

Hope this helps a little.

Thanks a lot, Nicachica :)

And a question, do you use this serial comma or not? I mean, usually. :confused:

I used to always use it. I thought it wasn't optional. But after a few jobs as an office manager, I have slowly shifted to not using it since my boss never does. :angel:

Irmamar I'm not a expert in this thread, but in my knowledge personal the second one to me is the best.:)

@ irmamar : Personally, it feels weird without the comma. I use it as often as I can.

For the record, I am a strong adherent to the use of the serial comma. :)

- - - - - -

I always opt for using the serial comma.

That is how I was taught to do it.

:eek:

I was taught in British school that the serial comma should be avoided. I never use them personally. Perhaps The UK differs from the USA in this respect.

An entertaining book on the subject of puctuation, written by Lynn Truss, is called EATS, SHOOTS AND LEAVES . It does not refer to a gunman running from a restaurant, but to the fact that a panda EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES.:D:D

I think now I'm more confused :confused:. Well, if it's optional, nobody can tell me that what I've written is wrong if I don't use it. Or I think so... :)

Mi instructor siempre me dice que se podría añadir o no.

Creo que los dos son correctos:)

No need to be confused. Some people use it, some don't. If you ever get corrected on it, simply point out that by definition it is, indeed, optional. (By the way, most native English speaking people get confused with it too, probably because they see it both ways. I know I did until I looked it up). So just know, that by definition, it is optional!! So pick your preference...and go with it!!!! :D

I think that if you agree the commas in the text is depending the structure of the same text, I don't believe that use theme much in all the text is right, therefore you must to know the use correct of them.

Everyone can sees them in the grammar books.

I have tried before use them into of the English, but some people has corrected me in it's use, then I will turn a search in the internet about grammar books.

Only I want to say something else.

When you go to the school, in Spanish class the teacher was taught me the use correct to them, therefore I must to know use them.

But as it's normal I forget the use to them.

Sorry.