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rayt
Joined: 30 Oct 2005
Posts: 60
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 Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:19 am Post subject: A comma or no comma before �and�?? |
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Dear Teacher.
For the sentences below, which one is correct? A comma or no comma before �and�??
We all like Ben because he is nice, friendly, helpful, and kind.
We all like Ben because he is nice, friendly, helpful and kind.
Please tell me why or why not?? Thank you. |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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You should include the comma before and.
This is according to "The Elements of Style" (Strunk and White) |
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2006
Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 610
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: A comma or no comma before �and�?? |
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| rayt wrote: |
Dear Teacher.
For the sentences below, which one is correct? A comma or no comma before �and�??
We all like Ben because he is nice, friendly, helpful, and kind.
We all like Ben because he is nice, friendly, helpful and kind.
Please tell me why or why not?? Thank you. |
There are people who say that there should be a comma before "and". But I wouldn't put one there, because a comma there serves no useful purpose. The other commas do serve the purpose of separating two adjectives. But the last two adjectives are separated by "and", so why put an unneeded comma there? |
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Lorikeet
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 1877
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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| It is done both ways. I think the comma before is an older method--maybe that's why I like it. Sometimes it helps to have the comma there for meaning. I like to put it in because then I am consistent. Some people don't like it. |
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lotus
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 862
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:29 am Post subject: |
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The reasons for using the comma or not before the last item in a list is contained in #1 below:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/commas.htm
The safer approach is to use the comma. It avoids clumping the last two as one, and maintains consistency and symmetry.
--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda |
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