Losing the Serial Comma Battle
16th July 2010
David Post documents the continuing degeneration of our language skills.
I know the arguments for and against the Rule, but I consider one of them dispositive in its favor: use of the serial comma expands the possibilities for communicating nuance of meaning, and is therefore an unmitigated Good Thing.
Actually, there is no rational alternative. Consider the following:
John, Paul, George and Ringo.
John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The first is a series with three elements, the second a series with four elements. Since it is obvious that the series ought to have four elements, the use of the comma before ‘and’ is equally obviously mandatory. People who think otherwise are Just Plain Wrong, and ought to kill themselves to increase the average intelligence level of the human race.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:05
I thought it was just me that was bothered by this.
July 26th, 2010 at 13:59
Finally! A pedantic battle where I am on the right side! 😀 I’ve used the comma before the “and” all my life!