Thread: Comma usage

I've been writing up information for my job and my supervisor told me that I had been using the comma incorrectly. The way they use it, I've honestly never seen it before.

The way I use:
He killed the dog, the cat, and the horse.

The way they use:
He killed the dog, the cat and the horse.

As you can see there is an absence of a comma after the "cat" and "and". Is this proper grammar?

In short, yes.

It depends mostly on what era you were born/taught in. In the olden days, English students were taught no comma ever came before a conjunction. They believed it defeated the purpose of said conjunction if a comma was used. Future proponents of the language invented what's known as the 'Oxford comma', which is what you have there. They believed it avoided confusion and looked better (not so sure on the latter).

Neither is wrong, but if your employer asks you to use the Oxford comma, I would do so.

Sam is right. I've noticed that there are various changes to what is acceptable grammatically. The comma before a conjunction is one. Using 'a' before historian/historical vs. 'an'. Then, my least favourite, allowing the phrase "first annual _____" .

Yep, I have had this one too. It's what you like in this case, neither is wrong. Me, I prefer your way, but try telling your boss. Luck

Steve

Eh, I do both. Generally I don't put one in front... but there are times when I do for whatever reason. Beyond that, what is this job you have that your supervisor cares whether you use a comma correctly or not?

Originally Posted by Zabobula

I've been writing up information for my job and my supervisor told me that I had been using the comma incorrectly. The way they use it, I've honestly never seen it before.

The way I use:
He killed the dog, the cat, and the horse.

The way they use:
He killed the dog, the cat and the horse.

As you can see there is an absence of a comma after the "cat" and "and". Is this proper grammar?

Aha - The infamous Oxford comma. Modern usage drops the comma before the and. It is also likely that some would expect the two definite articles to go as well as they would naturally be understood to exist, the definite article before the word dog signifying that all nouns that follow are covered by the same the.

He killed the dog, cat and horse.

I am of course open to correction by teachers of English as she is wrote...

Originally Posted by Zabobula

I've been writing up information for my job and my supervisor told me that I had been using the comma incorrectly. The way they use it, I've honestly never seen it before.

The way I use:
He killed the dog, the cat, and the horse.

The way they use:
He killed the dog, the cat and the horse.

As you can see there is an absence of a comma after the "cat" and "and". Is this proper grammar?

As both forms are considered acceptable use, but only one is preferred by your employer, use the form preferred by your employer when working. You might also ask if there is an in-house or preferred style guide available so that you can avoid future similar issues.

Your way was correct in the past, but at some point, the standard rules of formal writing changed to eliminate the comma before the "and" in a list. So you'll find that most professionals will consider your way incorrect, despite the fact that it is still a matter of opinion.

There are relatively few solid rules regarding comma usage. If I had to guess, I'd say at least 30% of commas in most books are technically unnecessary. And publishers tend to think that "less is more" when it comes to comma usage. The most common "pro" advice you'll get is the old adage, "when in doubt, leave it out." I tend to agree with that.

Someone needs to stop this guy before he kills all the animals on the farm!

Seriously, though, I remember being taught never to use a comma before a conjunction in a list like that, but that may have been because my parents both worked in the publishing industry in London. These days I find myself using the Oxford comma, as most others do, although I can't remember why or when I started.

I have always used commas like your employer. I prefer to remove elements instead of adding them.

I'm in your boat. I've always used commas like you. Then again, I've been told I use too many sometimes....

You've seen this...?




(I always put the comma in. I think it makes things clearer.)

Originally Posted by Don

Your way was correct in the past, but at some point, the standard rules of formal writing changed to eliminate the comma before the "and" in a list. So you'll find that most professionals will consider your way incorrect, despite the fact that it is still a matter of opinion.

There are relatively few solid rules regarding comma usage. If I had to guess, I'd say at least 30% of commas in most books are technically unnecessary. And publishers tend to think that "less is more" when it comes to comma usage. The most common "pro" advice you'll get is the old adage, "when in doubt, leave it out." I tend to agree with that.

You've got it the wrong way around, I'm afraid. The original way of writing always omitted the comma after a conjunction, i.e. 'and'. Language then evolved and today we have what's known as the 'Oxford comma', in which a comma is placed after 'and'. It didn't come before.

I swear by the Oxford comma. Consider this sentence: "The dresses were blue and white, yellow and white, and green and white". Without an Oxford comma there, you have two dresses. One is blue and white. The other is yellow and white and green and white. A lot of British newspapers don't use it, and it tends to be predominately an American style, but I've used it for years and would never revert to the old way.

I am old school and yes it is proper grammar. As an ex editor I have noticed over the past 10 years the use of the comma has changed so many times. Quite a few younger generation use a comma before the "and" however for me that is a big no-no. See the comma works just like an "and" it gives it a "pause" effect. Again, a lot of people today now use a comma before the "and". I guess it depends on who you work for.

I am sure it should be:
He killed the dog,the cat and the horse.
because if the 'and', cat is attached to the next clause which is 'the cat and the horse' which count as the second clause and of course the first clause being 'He killed the dog'.


to illustrate more:

I fed the horse, the cat, the dog and the chicken.

so you should not have not a comma before the word 'and'.