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Technically, using a comma after the last element in a list of three or more is not necessary. However, it does help to ensure that the last two items in the list are not misinterpreted. | |||
Consider these examples: | Consider these examples: | ||
: Uncle Charlie | : Uncle Charlie wanted me to pick up some bread, eggs, macaroni, and cheese. | ||
: Uncle Charlie | : Uncle Charlie wanted me to pick up some bread, eggs, macaroni and cheese. | ||
The last sentence would not be grammatically correct if the desired item was macaroni and cheese due to the lack of a conjunction before the word macaroni. Yet, seeing these two words placed together in this manner would cause someone to question the meaning. According to Aaron, adding a final comma in a list "is never wrong, and it always helps the reader see the last two items as separate".<ref>Aaron, Jane. The Little, Brown Compact Handbook With Exercises. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. 310. Print. </ref> | |||
==Conflicting Viewpoints== | |||
Even though some say that using a comma at the end of a series is not wrong, there are professional who believe that it is incorrect. For instance, the University of Wisconsin says that usage in this manner should not be done. <ref>"10 Simple Rules for Using Commas." . University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Web. 9 Nov 2013. <http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/maguirem/10rules.html>. </ref> Whereas the Purdue University says that using the comma before the conjunction is perfectly acceptable. <ref>"Extended Rules for Using Commas." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University. Web. 9 Nov 2013. <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/>. </ref> Whether you choose to use a comma after the last item or not, it is very important that you remain consistent throughout the entire work that you are writing. | |||
==References== | |||
1. Aaron, Jane. The Little, Brown Compact Handbook With Exercises. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 2010. 310. | |||
2. "10 Simple Rules for Using Commas." . University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Web. 9 Nov 2013. <http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/maguirem/10rules.html>. | |||
3. "Extended Rules for Using Commas." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Purdue University. Web. 9 Nov 2013. <https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/02/>. | |||
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[[Composition FAQ]] | [[Composition FAQ]] | ||
[[Category:Composition|Comma]] | [[Category:Composition|Comma]] |