Allen165
Key Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- English
- Home Country
- Canada
- Current Location
- Switzerland
I'd like to know where you stand when it comes to using the serial comma. Do you always place a comma before the final conjunction in a list? Or are you selective?
I don't like to use the serial comma indiscriminately because I sometimes find it to be disruptive. I believe it shouldn't be used when leaving it out doesn't cause confusion. Here's an example where I would not have used it:
"Justice Berger essentially applied a balancing approach which sought to weigh the competing First Amendment interests of the various participants affected, i.e., cable operators, cable programmers, and cable viewers."
But, of course, when it can actually disambiguate the meaning of a sentence, it should be used.
Thanks for the feedback.
I don't like to use the serial comma indiscriminately because I sometimes find it to be disruptive. I believe it shouldn't be used when leaving it out doesn't cause confusion. Here's an example where I would not have used it:
"Justice Berger essentially applied a balancing approach which sought to weigh the competing First Amendment interests of the various participants affected, i.e., cable operators, cable programmers, and cable viewers."
But, of course, when it can actually disambiguate the meaning of a sentence, it should be used.
Thanks for the feedback.
