Pet peeve: optional comma - Page 4

lem45216 · #31 10-12-2005, 08:18 AM

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Seriously, my pet peeve is when the comma is there. (A) really bugs me.

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Agreed. (A) is wrong.

Dave G. · #32 10-12-2005, 08:53 AM

Glad to see so many people spend their time pondering the truly important issues of life.

jakethebake · #33 10-12-2005, 09:11 AM

Y,S,S,C,K,Y

CrazyEyez · #34 10-12-2005, 09:31 AM

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Y,S,S,C,K,Y

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And some people were happy that you were leaving?
Not I. (Or is it "me?")

RunDownHouse · #35 10-12-2005, 09:34 AM

I was under the impression that the comma was needed, since you didn't have one item named, "eggs and sausage," but rather two separate items, "eggs" and "sausage."

Journalists have some of the worst, most incorrect English that is widely read, so I don't know why we'd be looking to them for answers. Surely among all of OOT there's a professor or grad student or something who can find us the answer.

astroglide · #36 10-12-2005, 12:08 PM

yes, it irritates me too

StevieG · #37 10-12-2005, 12:18 PM

The serial comma is your friend.

#38 10-12-2005, 12:19 PM

Yeah, I prefer the comma there. It reads better.

Cancer Merchant · #39 10-12-2005, 01:29 PM

The last comma is not optional in formal writing. Since the average Internet writer knows little and cares less about correct grammar and spelling, it is often omitted.

Cosimo · #40 10-12-2005, 02:19 PM

Newspapers (and instutions like AP) developed a house style sans the Oxford comma because it saves a bit of space.

I prefer the Oxford comma. I think most writers (given that everyone with a webpage or forum account is a writer) suck, and need it to help disambiguate the crap they churn out.

It annoys me when it's missing.