9. ), this is called a comma splice. Italics? A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations (9th ed.). She has a background in anthropology and education, which brings fresh perspectives to her romance novels. When "and" combines two independent clauses, you should use a comma before and. This rule applies to any coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses. (2020). The AP Stylebook is written with American English in mind, so sometimes writers in other regions will need to adapt what it says to fit their own dialect. Cambly vs Italki-Which website is better to learn English. To use an Oxford comma, there should be three or more items in a list. However, if we were to put a comma only between the title (my cousin) and the name: Now the sentence conveys that the speaker is addressing their unnamed cousin about an artist named William. This rule applies to both independent clauses joined by "and" and lists of three or more items, as well as any other time "and" might appear in a sentence. The article is concise, informative, and easy to read. https://www.mhra.org.uk/style/5.1. The final two items in the list are usually separated by and or or, which should be preceeded by a comma. If you dont, the choice is up to you; just write according to your own preference. Listing the person's title first, then their name, separated by a comma. In a list of names, what about the comma after a name, and before Jr. in the middle of the list? On first reading, its hard to tell where one item ends and the next begins. Investigators also found that Paxton forced his staff to rewrite an opinion on COVID-19 restrictions to benefit Paul. Titles can be listed first if they are the more important part of the sentence. Like many English comma rules, whether or not you use a comma before "and" depends on the situation. Copyright by Jane Straus/GrammarBook.com. There are three punctuation marks that are particularly useful when presenting lists: the colon, the semicolon and the comma. Shorter sentences are easier to read. If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page. The basic idea is that if the name (in the above example, "Jessie") is the only thing in the world described by the identifier ("my oldest friend"), use a comma before the name (and after it as well, unless you've come to the end of the sentence). Notion AI Review The Best A.I Writing Tool? Accuracy Ahead of Saturday's vote, Republican members of the Texas House sent emails to their constituents asking them for support as they weighed whether to impeach Paxton. This site uses affiliate marketing to help pay for the site. HOUSTON As part of the Texas Education Agency's takeover of Houston ISD, a Board of Managers made up of nine appointees was named to replace the current Board of Trustees. In Frosts version (without the serial comma), dark and deep are an appositive for lovely. The speaker thinks that the woods are lovely precisely. Example: We asked Chairperson Leong to join us at the meeting. The listing comma is used as a kind of substitute for the word and, or sometimes for or. Security Use the best grammar checker available to check your comma placement quickly and easily. 3A. The Cambridge guide to English usage. Get It Write uses cookies to enhance your experience on our website. I am sorry, professor, that my paper is late. Here are a few more examples of how to use a comma before "and" in a sentence. Paxton joins a small list of Texas public officials who have been impeached. Today, we're taking a closer look at the rules about using a comma before "and" in sentences. To list items within a sentence, use lowercase letters in parentheses to identify each item. The defendant has accused you Mr. Dempsey of trying to steal his credit card. Perlman, M. (2007, March 6). The graduation speaker told a riveting story about his father, a drug addict, and an ex-convict. Yes, APA language guidelines state that you should always use the serial comma (aka Oxford comma) in your writing. c. adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed; d. accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date; every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that are inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which they are processed, are erased or rectified without delay; Paxton will immediately and temporarily be suspended from his duties pending a trial in the state Senate. If you follow one style or the other consistently, an attentive reader will notice any exceptions and understand that theyre deliberate. Salt, pepper, and vinegar and salt, pepper and vinegar are both grammatically correct. Oxford University Press. John Doe, Branch Head; Jane Doe, Family Liaison; Bob Smith, Data Specialist. What is there are multiple degrees: Jane Doe, DDS, MD, JD is a nice person. Published on The court agreed: if the state wanted "distribution" to be its own item in the list, they should have used a damn comma. Example 1 makes it unclear if there is a departement called . Business means Get It Write Online. This incomplete thought usually takes the form of either a compound subject or a compound predicate. In this example, "went to sleep" is not a complete thought. Commas should sometimes be placed before and after names and titles. In English, you must put a comma before "and" when it connects two independent clauses. Comma rules can be tricky because there are so many scenarios where we need this versatile punctuation mark. The following day, my mother, Grammy; Abel; Josh; Erin; and I went to a restaurant Originally, I had written The following day, my mother (Grammy), Abel and I, and Josh and Erin went to a restaurant Can you please tell me if the semicolon sentence is the correct one? But it also has some potential disadvantages. If you are writing a simple list, you can just insert a comma after each item.Dec 5, 2011. What punctuation do you use for a list? Can you give more examples for the rule Use commas to surround degrees or titles used with names? But most academic style guides do recommend using it consistently. Do not use a listing comma anywhere else. Have a human editor polish your writing to ensure your arguments are judged on merit, not grammar errors. Punctuation. If not, dont use any commas. The last was 1976. Oxford University Press. 6. The basic idea is that if the name (in the above example, Jessie) is the only thing in the world described by the identifier (my oldest friend), use a comma before the name (and after it as well, unless youve come to the end of the sentence). If you combine two independent clauses with just a comma and no conjunction (e.g. 2C. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton greets former U.S. President Donald Trump at the 'Save America' rally on October 22, 2022 in Robstown, Texas. One of these, APA Style, actually requires the Oxford comma even when the ampersand is used, so bear in mind that this rule is not universal. Modern Humanities Research Association. Look at this example: Sheila and Mike are both subjects, so this is a compound subject. Responsible Person means Nancy Tuten. Normally when listing a group of people you would simply separate each with a comma. Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via : 2023 - Orpheus Technology, prowritingaid.com. The other situation where you should place a comma before "and" in a sentence is in a list. Examples of Comma Before "And" in Sentences, 20 Editing Tips From Professional Writers. The flavors available include salt and vinegar, sour cream and onion, and smoky bacon. To ensure that personal data is kept for no longer than necessary, the Business shall put in place an archiving policy for each area in which personal data is processed and review this process annually. According to most style guides, when listing names and titles in a sentence, you have two options: Listing the person's name first, followed by their title, separated by a comma. The womans name is: Frances Charles (she is the one sitting in the middle). Lets go over the rules that have precedent first. By using our website you consent to our use of cookies. THE RULE: A comma separates initials, degrees, or titles from a name and from the rest of the sentence. However, you do not need this comma for lists of simple items: Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox. END OF POLICY. If your comma skills are rusty, you can always use ProWritingAid's free grammar checker to find all your misplaced and missing commas. But if you mix the two styles, your text may just appear inconsistent to the reader. Because a subordinate clause is dependent upon a main clause to be meaningful, it is also referred to as a dependent clause.https://www.grammarly.com blog subordinate-clauseSubordinate Clause: Simple Rules You Need to Know | Grammarly. For example: apples, pears, and bananas (When there are more than two list items, commas are used to separate them.) There are two instances when you should use a comma before "and.". You usually put a comma before and when its connecting two independent clausesindependent clausesA subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it merely complements a sentences main clause, thereby adding to the whole unit of meaning. c. Where consent is relied upon as a lawful basis for processing data, evidence of opt-in consent shall be kept with the personal data. In the United States it is common to put a comma after every noun except the last one, as in the following sentences: I'm having cookies, candies . Grover Washington, Jr., has an appointment today with Orin Scrivello, DDS. For singular common nouns that end in s (e.g., witness, bus, octopus), AP style suggests adding an apostrophe followed by a final s to indicate possession: The witnesss testimony did not match his earlier statement. 3C. The Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma or Harvard comma) is the use of a comma before the conjunction in a list of three or more items (e.g., the comma before "and" in "paints, brushes, and canvas"). (2019). Mrs. Jones left all her money to her three children: Huey, Dewey and Louie. Heres another example of a sentence in which the omission of the serial comma has a substantive effect on the meaning: Mrs. Jones left her money to her children: Sally and Fred Smith, Margaret and John Williams, Betty and Harold Spivey and their children. I have never seen names listed like this. Where do you put commas in a list of names? Rule: Titles immediately following the name do not ordinarily require capitalization. In all kinds of writing, of course, the meaning of the items in a list may be obvious without the serial comma. Is that correct? Correct: She ate dinner, slept all night, and awoke refreshed. Please remember to buy lettuce, Joshua. 8. In AMA manual of style (11th ed., pp. To understand how to use a comma before "and," you need to understand the difference between independent clauses and dependent clauses. Thanks. If necessary, use the "Search" box on the right side of the page to find a post closely related to your question or comment.Your email address will not be published. This is because the sentence is talking about a particular person John.Oct 3, 2021. Rule Use commas to set off the name or title of a person directly addressed. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. How do you use a comma with multiple names? It comes before the conjunction (and or or): John, Mandy, and Lupita. Without the serial comma, the same phrase would be John, Mandy and Lupita.. Most academic style guides recommend adding it ("salt, pepper, and paprika"). The serial comma is a comma that comes before the final item in a list of three or more items. Because a subordinate clause is dependent upon a main clause to be meaningful, it is also referred to as a dependent clause.https://www.grammarly.com blog subordinate-clauseSubordinate Clause: Simple Rules You Need to Know | Grammarly. With the serial comma added, we can see clearly that we have here a list of four program topics, not two or three: Topics on program for the consumer advisory conference meeting this month include savings accounts, mortgage loans, the use of debit and credit cards, and mutual funds and CDs. Quite possibly (especially if Huey were a jerk), Huey would get half the money, and Dewey and Louie would have to split the other half. https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2017/09/21/the-power-of-the-comma. (2023, March 29). Lets start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. Paxton was impeached and suspended from office May 27, 2023. For example: The attendees included John Doe, Jane Doe, Sam Sunny Jr., and Dolores Chang. If the name comes first, it is followed by a comma: Children, please stop jumping on the beds. Case 1 Look at the sentences below - My friend John, is a good painter. https://doi.org/10.1093/jama/9780190246556.003.0008, Modern Humanities Research Association. Tom has three brothers (John, Edward, and Bill), and one sister, Mary. Krystal lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, child, and basset hound. We could say, "He is great. The Oxford comma tends to improve the clarity of lists, especially complex lists, by showing clearly where one list item ends and another begins. The Register of Systems shall be reviewed at least annually. Sundays reception will feature a variety of elegant finger sandwiches: cream cheese and pineapple, marinated bell peppers and goat cheese, asparagus and butter and sliced cucumber and mint mayonnaise. The injury to Robert Griffin III does not appear to be serious. Data minimization: The Business shall ensure that personal data are adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the Oxford Comma. Commas are used to separate list items when there are more than two list items. Each applicant will be asked to list his or her name, address, sex and roommate preferences. This sentence is actually correct without the serial comma. 4D. Well, forget proper. According to Rule 7 of Commas: Commas are no longer required around Jr. and Sr. Therefore, if there are no commas between names and Jr. or any other titles, then you do not need to separate the names with semicolons. What happens when you have 2 vision plans? But in our Proofreading & Editing service, we follow the customers lead, unless they indicate that theyre following APA Style. If we use this second format and then make a list of people, the different people would be separated by a semi-colon (;) and not a comma. Rule: Capitalize job titles immediately preceding the name when used as part of the name. c. When personal data is deleted this should be done safely such that the data is irrecoverable. I am sorry professor that my paper is late. The defendant has accused you, Mr. Dempsey of trying to steal his credit card. When shes not daydreaming about her next book or article, you can find her cooking gourmet gluten-free cuisine, laughing at memes, and playing board games. Thanks so much. Jane Doe, PhD and John Smith will speak. A librarian can recommend a good book, and they can also help you with research. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. There's an issue though. For nearly three decades, Dr. Nancy Tuten has taught seminars on writing-related issues to professionals in the public and private sectors, including federal and state government employees, judges and staff members of state and federal court systems, private attorneys, law school faculty and students, and employees in the financial sector. In the last two instances, though, the name and age designation should be separated by a comma. . They also are used after introductory phrases and work to separate interrupters and added detail from the rest of a sentence. Id rather leave it out. Oxford Comma | Definition, Examples & When to Use. General provisions d. Where communications are sent to individuals based on their consent, the option for the individual to revoke their consent should be clearly available and systems should be in place to ensure such revocation is reflected accurately in the Businesss systems. "To me, this process is indefensible.". ", Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton greets former U.S. President Donald Trump at the 'Save America' rally on October 22, 2022 in Robstown, Texas. e. kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data are processed; personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organizational measures required by the GDPR in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals; and The Oxford comma, also called a serial comma, precedes "and" before the last item in a list. Heres how to list names and titles in a sentence appropriately.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'oneminuteenglish_org-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',152,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-oneminuteenglish_org-medrectangle-3-0'); Whether or not you use a comma between a persons title and their name depends on the kind of title youre using and the context of the sentence. hide caption. According to Wikipedia, In general, the comma shows that the words immediately before the comma are less closely or exclusively linked grammatically to those immediately after the comma than they might be otherwise. The rule reads in part: When items in a series themselves contain internal punctuation, separating the items with semicolons can aid clarity. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. No comma is required. "We'll have to defend not only the final result that we reach today and the way we vote, but we'll also have to defend the process by which this determination was made," Smithee said. During Saturday's vote, lawmakers listened closely as members of the House General Investigating Committee laid out the 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. Get It Write Online In these situations, "more" acts as the last item in a list. I spoke to the director, Jan Sorenson, and Tristan Ross. Before and you dont need to put a semi-colon, but a comma is possible (American style uses a comma before and). To list a name and age in a sentence, you can either list the age as a hyphenated statement (X-year-old) then the name, the name followed by age and the number, or you can simply list the name followed by the number on its own. Harris voted 'yes' for impeachment. I like rice and beans and plantains. The Responsible Person shall take responsibility for the Businesss ongoing compliance with this policy. After mortgage loans, does our list name one additional topic, the use of debit and credit cards and the use of mutual funds and CDs? The argument about ambiguity is the main point of debate. 1B. Omitting it is an error. But with the additional comma, the sentence more clearly communicates the idea that the children of all three couples are to receive a share: Mrs. Jones left her money to Sally and Fred Smith, Margaret and John Williams, Betty and Harold Spivey, and their children. A dependent clause is a statement that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Moscow, Russia, 1965. the latter part of the caption only has commas but not a period at the end because incomplete sentences dont need a period. Your email address will not be published. a. processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to individuals; This recommendation also applies, of course, when the items in a list are joined by the conjunction or. Modern Language Association. f. processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organizational measures. d. Appropriate back-up and disaster recovery solutions shall be in place. For example: Both versions of this sentence convey that the speaker has a cousin named William who is an artist, therefore both are correct. The other is that you should use a period between each letter in two-letter abbreviations such as U.K., U.S., or U.N. For instance: The U.N. headquarters in the U.S. is considered international territory. Pop Quiz Is there a comma before and when listing names? Grover Washington Jr. has an appointment today with Orin Scrivello, DDS. The comma before "and" (or comma before "or") at the end of a list is optional. Leaving the comma out before "and" in a list of three or more items seems to join the last two items, at least to me. 2023 Get It Write. (LogOut/ Its almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list. Listing commas can usually be replaced by and or or, e.g. Pop Quiz Answers I have a question about punctuation in incomplete sentences, e.g., in photo captions. Writing Tips: The Basics of Punctuation in AP Style. Different style guides, publishers, and language authorities have different stances on the Oxford comma. by In the event of a breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal data, the Business shall promptly assess the risk to peoples rights and freedoms and if appropriate report this breach to the ICO (more information on the ICO website). Paul, who contributed $25,000 to Paxton's 2018 campaign, was being investigated by the FBI in 2020 when he asked Paxton to intervene in that probe. [. The other situation where you should place a comma before "and" in a sentence is in a list. Incorrect: Sheila, and Mike got married last Saturday. Chicago University Press. Commas in Titles | The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. Thank you. Incorrect: She ate dinner, and awoke refreshed. (2017, September 20). Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Joan Darcy, Disabled Sports USA, Wounded Warrior Program representative Kirk Bauer, Tribal Chairwoman from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington State Frances Charles, The Orvis Company Vice Chairman of Retail and Sporting Traditions Dave Perkins, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar participated in the, Restoring Rivers: Building Resilience for People and Wildlife panel during the White House Conservation conference, Growing Americas Outdoor Heritage and Economy at the Interior Department, Yates Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Friday, March 2, 2012. One use of the comma is to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. How do you write your name and job title in a sentence? The Oxford comma is optionalits not a grammatical error to leave it out or to include it. This occurs when the first item is singular rather than plural: Is the directors name Jan Sorenson, or are they two different people? Theres no difference between the serial comma and the Oxford comma. Theres no single rule that applies to all situations. 2A. Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). If the name appears in the middle of the sentence, you can either use commas before and after the name or you can omit the commas completely, as shown earlier. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Use commas to connect 2 or more principal clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ('and', 'or', 'but', 'so'). Despite the fact that not all style books agree on this issue, we recommend using a comma after the next-to-last item in a seriesthe serial comma, as it is called (or the Harvard or Oxford comma). Commas are not parts of the titles. Example: Al Mooney, MD, knew Sam Sunny Jr. and Charles Starr III. hide caption. If you prefer to write a list without the Oxford comma, that's fine. Don't use the Oxford comma part of the time and leave it out the rest. How to effectively demonstrate the incorrectness of a factual-yet-biased work? Please dont throw any parties, damage the furniture, or annoy the neighbors while were away. Nurses monitor a patients vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse. Finally, AP style typically follows American English conventions when it comes to punctuation marks. [, In the final round of the cooking competition, the contestants had to prepare three different quiches: broccoli, ham, and cheese and spinach. 2 Put the name first, followed by the job. A third point of view is that you shouldnt always add or always omit the Oxford comma but rather be flexible: add it when it helps to resolve ambiguity, and otherwise leave it out. Without the serial comma, the sentence does not clearly indicate that each of the three children is to be given an equal share of the inheritance. (2019). The study participants were divided into three groups: (a) elementary school students, (b) high school students, and (c) post-secondary students. You can also use a comma when "and" precedes the last item in a list. Here, the comma before and makes it clear that Snakes and Ladders refers to a single game (rather than two separate games called Snakes and Ladders). An Oxford Comma is a comma used before the conjunction (usually "and") in a list of three or more items. "We do just that today with this resolution.". I am sorry, Professor, that my paper is late. How do you reserve parking at Yankee Stadium. 447488). Grover Washington Jr. has an appointment today with Orin Scrivello DDS. (2020, December 23). Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on how youre using and. This is called an Oxford comma. AUSTIN, Texas In a historic vote Saturday, the Texas House of Representatives decided to impeach Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton over allegations of illegal activities related to one of his political donors. Style-less writing Lack of real structure for blog article, Return to section context after a subsection, About the Scope of Sections and Paragraphs, How To Cite Francis Bacons Of Simulation and Dissimulation Essay. It used to be more common not to use it, but it's become the preferred comma usage. Is there a comma after Jane Doe? It's almost always optional to put a comma before and in a . On the House floor Saturday, both Republicans and Democrats spoke for and against Paxton's impeachment. As a general rule, titles containing more than four words should be placed after the name. It may have a subject and a verb, but it is an incomplete thought. However, the final commathe one that comes before the andis optional. Thank you for all the info on your website! AP style, the style set out in the Associated Press Stylebook, provides advice on many elements of writing. Most academic style guides (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) recommend using the Oxford comma consistently, so this is typically the best approach in academic writing. I spoke to the directors, as well as to Jan Sorenson and Tristan Ross. "This House cannot legitimately, and in good faith, and under the rule of law, impeach General Paxton today on the record that it has before," Smithee said. But even style guides that generally discourage its use do agree that at times it is necessary for clarity and/or readability. Joshua, please remember to buy lettuce. Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary for Civil Works. Commas and Semi-Colons in Writing a List of Names andJobs, Essential Rules of Punctuation Your Ten-Minute Guide English with a Smile, Effective Ways to Finish the Academic YearStrong, Instant Idiom: Get Away from it_________. In AP style, you should use one of these if at least one of the list items contains its own conjunction. Peters, P. (2004). Updated September 29, 2022 Should you add a comma before and in a list of three or more items? Share. Register of Systems means a register of all systems or contexts in which personal data is processed by the Business. They do not do packing for shipment or distribution. And if you would like extra help to ensure your punctuation is perfect, why not submit a free 500-word trial document for our AP style experts to proofread today? When this happens, do not use a comma before "and.". 3B. The law was written according to the state's style guide, which says . Example. The caption of the picture reads like this: From left: U.S. If you want to know more about commonly confused words, definitions, common mistakes, and differences between US and UK spellings, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes. A serial (or Oxford) comma is a comma placed before the conjunction in a list of three or more items. (n.d.). My editor, using the Chicago Style, sent back corrections that included a list of names set apart by a semicolon instead of commas. Article 5 of the GDPR requires that personal data shall be 1. The answer is: neither of them! The Business shall ensure that personal data is stored securely using modern software that is kept-up-to-date. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Typing speed stuck at 45 wpm after 5 months of practice. Use semi-colons after each item in a list if one or more items already includes a comma. Or does it contain three more items, the use of debit and credit cards, mutual funds, and CDs? The New York Times. But we are usually poor judges of our own clarity (or lack thereof). Caulfield, J. The power of the comma. Get A.I writing tips straight to your Email! But its also not a grammatical error to write a list without it (salt, pepper and paprika). If we take the first person first, the format would be like this: Joan Darcy, U.S. So the rules are clear: Use a listing comma in a list wherever you could conceivably use the word and (or or) instead. If there are only two items, you do not need a serial comma . If a comma is placed only before a name or title, it is due to the name or title being placed at the end of a sentence. However, the final commathe one that comes before the andis optional. And the third person is: Tribal Chairwoman from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington State Frances Charles. The list above is grammatically correct but quite difficult to parse. Grover Washington, Jr., has an appointment today with Orin Scrivello, DDS, also is acceptable but the commas surrounding Jr. are no longer required. (Ed.). Can you give me the reason why I need to use commas to surround titles and names? But some citation styles do require the use of ampersands between author names in in-text citations or reference lists. Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Joan Darcy. The following section examines it in more detail. To ensure its processing of data is lawful, fair and transparent, the Business shall maintain a Register of Systems. Repetition of information in my multi-path / multi-play-through game how to deal with it? What are oxford commas? We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Truck drivers sued, saying that they deserve overtime because their job is distribution. Theyre two different names for the same thing: a comma before the conjunction (and or or) in a list of three or more items (e.g., ham, cheese, and tomato). ), but even as is, we advise a period at the end. It occurs in two slightly different circumstances. Our Rule 12 of Commas says, use commas to enclose degrees or titles used with names. Therefore, use the comma: Eliot Laird Landon Jr., PhD. We can go for pizza, curry, burgers, or tacos. Coordinating conjunctions can link two independent clauses. First, it is used in a list when three or more words, phrases or even complete sentences are joined by the word and or or; we might call this construction an X, Y and Z list: The Three Musketeers were Athos, Porthos and Aramis. In this case you do need a comma. Incorrect: We met for lunch and, we spent two hours chatting at the restaurant. The Business is committed to processing data in accordance with its responsibilities under the GDPR. Using an ampersand instead in the main text is considered quite informal. We recommend writing the degree after the first name. Incorrect: The baby drank a bottle, and went to sleep. b. According to most style guides, when listing names and titles in a sentence, you have two options: Which option you choose is determined by whether the title or the name is more important to the sentence. The Oxford comma or serial comma is optional but recommended by most academic style guides. Let's look at an example of how this might look. 3B. In this case, for instance, we do not need the extra comma because it is already clear that dogs, cats, and birds are separate items in the list. (2002). a. I am trying to figure out when listing names by last name first, where does the degree go? and or or after list items. "He put the interest of himself above the laws of the state of Texas," Spiller said. Diablo 4 's full release will be playable at the following dates and times: 4 p.m. PDT on June 5 for the West Coast of North America. Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary for Civil Works. (2020). Although such logical precision might seem trivial when we are talking about topics at a conference, it can be absolutely crucial in certain kinds of writing. If we take the first person first, the format would be like this: Joan Darcy, U.S. 1C. Note that the other commas in the list are not optional. Even though some Republicans voted to impeach, Paxton continues to have allies in the Texas House. Which you use depends on how complex your list is. Punctuation for Lists of Items Within a Sentence Use commas after each item in a list of three or more items. Lets start with the fact that unless a name or title is the last word(s) in a sentence, it can either be used with no commas at all, OR with a comma both before and after. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. 1 Like in the example: Name of job followed by the name. We may earn a commission from links on this page. I spoke to the director, Jan Sorenson and Tristan Ross. The rule is either have the commas both before and after a name, or dont add it at all. The comma before and (or comma before or) at the end of a list is optional. No, she represents the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington State. Which, Who, and That: Singular or Plural? The defendant has accused you, Mr. Dempsey, of trying to steal his credit card. a. I like rice, beans, and plantains. Punctuation for Lists of Items Within a Sentence Use commas after each item in a list of three or more items. Lavender plants smell great, and they also repel mosquitos. Quotation Marks. https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2017/09/21/the-power-of-the-comma, The Associated Press stylebook and briefing on media law, https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-observer-style-guide-o, https://journals.ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.org/your-role-in-article-production/ieee-editorial-style-manual/, https://doi.org/10.1093/jama/9780190246556.003.0008. Material created by Jane Straus and GrammarBook.com. Does it look unprofessional to have my name and all the titles of my website in lower-case? Theres a long-running debate over whether its proper to include that last comma in a list. There's no subject, so it's not an independent clause and therefore does not require a comma. (LogOut/ It is incorrect to place only one comma before the name or title. What is a Comma? When you have a list of nouns in a sentence, you should put a comma after each noun except the last one, and sometimes the second to last one, with a space after each comma but not before. If not, don't use any commas. Most people naturally leave it out in writing, and adding it can make your text look overly stiff and formal. The basic idea is that if the name (in the above example, Jessie) is the only thing in the world described by the identifier (my oldest friend), use a comma before the name (and after it as well, unless youve come to the end of the sentence). Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Cambridge University Press. I have a PhD. Remember, commas can precede "and" but cant follow it. Revised on 4A. Does that require using semi-colons after items all the way through? Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas. The Associated Press stylebook and briefing on media law. If not, dont use any commas. This is usually the case with formal or professional titles, such as those for political office, or when the speakers relationship to the subject is important for context. HarperCollins. "I think the members will do their duty," Patrick said. In this case you do need a comma. Don't use a comma (,) between the job and the name. You should never put a comma after the word "and.". Whats the difference between the serial comma and the Oxford comma? Most academic style guides recommend adding it (salt, pepper, and paprika). Goldstein, N. An independent clause is a statement that can stand alone as a complete sentence. Or the table may be covered with gifts, all of which fall into one of two categoriesfood or flowers. You usually put a comma before and when its connecting two independent clausesindependent clausesA subordinate clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it merely complements a sentences main clause, thereby adding to the whole unit of meaning. Paxton has also claimed he was never given the opportunity to testify in front of the House General Investigating Committee. MLA handbook (9th ed.). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. When a singular proper noun ends in s, though, you only need an apostrophe: The same applies for all plural nouns (common and proper) that end in s: Well borrow the Joneses car for the weekend. Individual items in the list contain commas, conjunctions, and lists of their own. a. Comma Before "And" in a List. , The UN headquarters in the US is considered international territory. Theres no single rule that applies to all situations. Most US writers use the Oxford Comma. Data Protection Policy I would really appreciate some guidelines. "One of the key responsibilities of the General Investigating Committee is to look beyond partisan affiliation in order to take the necessary steps to protect the institution that is our state and government," Geren said. (2017). We tend to think we are being clear because we know what we mean to say. I was told that in a caption like this one (Im making one up): Three athletes are walking to a nearby stadium. 7 p.m. EDT on June 5 for the East Coast of North America. Yes, when using a list of three or more items, you should put commas between each item, including the last two items. Different style guides have different recommendations about using it. In AP style, you should use one of these if at least one of the list items contains its own conjunction. -or- Jane Doe, PhD, and John Smith will speak. The Business shall note the appropriate lawful basis in the Register of Systems. Do you go to the store for cupcakes, vanilla, and chocolate or cupcakes, vanilla and chocolate? This makes the sentence easier to parse (although it could certainly still be simplified). 2. Without the serial comma before the lastand, the sentence could be interpreted to mean that only the children of Betty and Harold Spivey are to receive a share of the inheritance and not the children of the other couples. Manage Settings Example: The table summarizes the recommendations of various prominent language authorities. The Texas Law Review Manual on Usage, Style, and Editing insists on the use of the serial comma. We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. The dog is young, well-trained, and good-natured. For example, a pair of commas is used in the following sentences because the titles are parenthetical: Robert Yeager, Professor of English, is chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages. "The last 72 hours has shown us why Ken Paxton is so desperate to keep his case in the court of public opinion. In the previous newsletter I showed a picture of a meeting or conference with a bunch of people seated on a stage. Note that the earlier commas in a list are not optional: salt pepper and vinegar is not grammatically correct. For the second option, using age, you can opt to use aged. However, the use of aged in this context is debated by modern grammarians; though technically correct and used throughout literature, it is not a popular option for modern writers. The table may be covered with three different kinds of items: (1) gifts, (2) food, and (3) flowers. Grover Washington, Jr. has an appointment today with Orin Scrivello, DDS. Retrieved March 6, 2023, from https://journals.ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.org/your-role-in-article-production/ieee-editorial-style-manual/, Iverson, C. (2020). Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary for Civil Works. In the final round of the cooking competition, the contestants had to prepare three different quiches: broccoli, ham and cheese and spinach. Writers frequently wonder whether a comma should go before the conjunctionand in a list of three or more items. I spoke to Jan Sorenson, Tristan Ross, and the director. That comma is optional. How do you list multiple names and titles in a sentence? Breach It's grammatically incorrect. If we take the first person first, the format would be like this: Joan Darcy, U.S. Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary for Civil Works; Kirk Bauer, Disabled Sports USA, Wounded Warrior Program representative; Frances Charles, Tribal Chairwoman from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington State; Dave Perkins, The Orvis Company Vice Chairman of Retail and Sporting Traditions, and Ken Salazar, Interior Secretary, participated in the []. The defendant has accused you Mr. Dempsey of trying to steal his credit card. Because he has no ability to win in a court of law," said Johnson, the Democrat and member of the House General Investigating Committee. Oxford Comma | Definition, Examples & When to Use, reading writing hiking and watching movies, reading, writing, hiking, and watching movies, reading, writing, hiking and watching movies. Lawful purposes It's important to note that you should only use a comma to join independent clauses if a coordinating conjunction like "and" is present. Most major style guides, especially academic ones, do recommend the Oxford comma. Put a listing comma before and or or only if this is necessary to make your meaning clear. Always place periods and commas inside closing quote marks, even when they are not a part of the text being quoted. The Oxford comma is grammatically correct, but it is not required. First, use a comma when "and" joins two independent clauses. AP style uses periods in the usual way at the end of a sentence. If Im thanking someone, is it more appropriate to write, Thanks, Pam! orThanks Pam!. NOTE: Capitalize a title when directly addressing someone. Which option you choose is determined by whether the title or the name is more important . Adding the Oxford comma in this case makes it 100% clear that Jan Sorenson and Tristan Ross are not the same people as the directors: But its just as easy to find examples where adding the Oxford comma actually makes the list less clear. 2 Put the name first, followed by the job. Write with Grammarly Let's say your dog has so many great qualities that you just have to tell the world about them. Unrelated comments may be deleted. Do you put a comma before and in a list? Use lower case for titles unless they are directly before a name and function as part of the name. ProWritingAid's Consistency Report will help make sure you are sticking with one rule or the other. (2003). Please send the memo to Jason, Sarah, and Courtney. If you need to follow a particular style guide, check out our quick summary of who recommends the Oxford comma below. You usually put a comma before and when it's connecting two independent clauses. Do I really need to have a message in a novel to appeal to readers? Lt. Gov. However, it does have a couple of requirements for how to punctuate abbreviations. The injury to Robert Griffin, III, does not appear to be serious. If we use this second format and then make a list of people, the different people would be separated by a semi-colon (;) and not a comma. All Rights Reserved. Compare your paper to billions of pages and articles with Scribbrs Turnitin-powered plagiarism checker. Which of these sentences has the commas placed correctly? The Oxford comma goes before "and" in "the flag was red, white, and blue." Oxford comma proponents say it eliminates sentence similarities. Change). 2B. From left: Joan Darcy, U.S. (2021). Paxton was impeached and suspended from office May 27, 2023. Remember, then, that you need an extra s after a possessive apostrophe for a singular common noun that ends in s. In all other cases, including plural common nouns and singular proper nouns, just give the apostrophe after the final s.. 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Because there are so many scenarios where we need this versatile punctuation mark two styles, text. The Business shall note the appropriate lawful basis in the middle of the list above grammatically. Earlier commas in a list of names styles, your text look overly stiff and formal the job the! Safely such that the other situation where you should use one of these sentences has the commas correctly! Manual for writers of research papers, theses comma before and in list of names and paprika & quot ; in a sentence in! So this is because the sentence the end of a list or series if of! Basics of punctuation in AP style bottle, and awoke refreshed in parentheses to identify item.