COMMAS IN A SERIES

HOW TO USE COMMAS IN A SERIES

• Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last two. "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base." You may have learned that the comma before the "and" is unnecessary, which is fine if you're in control of things. However, there are situations in which, if you don't use this comma (especially when the list is complex or lengthy), these last two items in the list will try to glom together (like macaroni and cheese). Using a comma between all the items in a series, including the last two, avoids this problem. This last comma—the one between the word "and" and the preceding word—is often called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. In newspaper writing, incidentally, you will seldom find a serial comma, but that is not necessarily a sign that it should be omitted in academic prose.

EXAMPLES

• The young woman purchased bread, wine, fish, and salt.
• To purchase her items, the young woman traveled over a bridge, through a desert, and across the plains.
• The fresh bread was at the bakery, the red wine was at the winery, the fish was at the open market, and the salt was at the corner grocery.
• My aunt speaks English, French, and Italian.
• Butter, ice cream, and cheese are made with milk.
• Has she met you, your husband, or your daughter?
• Is your home heated with gas, oil, or wood?
• The flowers, the grass, and the bushes all need water.
• Is Miss McGee writing a book, a short story, or a play?
• My teacher carried a book, a snack, and some money in her bag.

COLONS

HOW TO USE COLONS

• between a grammatically complete introductory clause (one that could stand as a sentence) and a final phrase or clause that illustrates, extends, or amplifies the preceding thought. If the clause following the colon is a complete sentence, it begins with a capital letter.

EXAMPLES

• Remember: Two can play at that game.
• They have agreed on the outcome: Informed participants perform better than do uninformed participants.
• We knew who would win the game:
• Here are three states that begin with M: Michigan, Mississippi, and Maine.
• This was first said by Shakespeare: “To thine own self be true.”
• She kept repeating: "I really want that car!"
• He wanted to see three cities in Italia: Rome, Florence and Venice.
• You can come pick me up now: I am feeling much better.
• The new boss has many nice traits: friendly, outgoing and fair.
• These are my favorite colors: purple, turquoise, red and blue.

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