[projectaon] Re: serial comma
- From: James Durrant <james.durrant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 23:46:48 +0100
Speaking in plain English (I'd never heard of a serial comma!) I was always
taught that a comma was not needed before "and" for example.
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 11:41:39 +1300From: callmeinstead@xxxxxxxxxxx:
projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: [projectaon] Re: serial commaHooliganIt sounds
like you are more pent up about my using Wikipedia than what I said. I cited
Wiki out of convenience and because it states a fact that backs up what I say,
i.e. there are potential ambiguities presented by either comma. I used to work
as a publishing editor and believe you me, the vast majority of publishers
don't bother with the serial comma. Every style guide I have consulted in the
past has recommended against it mainly because it's superfluous in most
instances. Besides the convention, this is also why most publishers avoid it.
Going against the grain will only look awkward to the vast majority. Consult a
large number of publishing editors and I guarantee you almost all won't use
it.If you still want a reliable source, find one yourself and you'll find what
I say holds true.CheersLawrence
On 04/04/2008, Hooligans in Kilts <hooligans_in_kilts@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm sorry, I have an issue with people who use Wikipedia. If you are going to
cite a source, how about one that is reliable? Wikipedia is barely monitored
and anyone can go in and make changes to whatever they want to. Use an edu,
gov, or a org site if you are going to use one. com sites are commercial, and
net sites are just domains on a network, which can be linked to certain
organizations or businesses.
Sorry, I am not flaming this person (I hope), I just can't stand it when, like
I said, people use unreliable sources as a good source of information.
----- Original Message ----From: Lawrence Ritchie <callmeinstead@xxxxxxxxx>To:
projectaon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx: Thursday, April 3, 2008 5:08:25 PMSubject:
[projectaon] serial commaI imagine this was hotly debated to start with, but
nonetheless:I balk when I see your adoption of the serial comma. Talk about
unconventional! (In the British publishing world -- and Lone Wolf is British --
virtually every publisher eschews its use). It seems your main reason for
adopting its use was to avoid ambiguities, but this is groundless. Whether you
use it or not can create ambiguities (see ref below). It is easier to avoid it
unless its use prevents an ambiguity (the editor's job -- and this is the only
way due to the constraints of English style). I just can't believe you guys
decided to add superfluous commas into the original works!Ref:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma--
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-------------------------------------------------------------------The secret
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have compassion for other people, an understanding of other people's gifts--
Anthony Robbins
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