A word from the comma-ntariat

[den_down_unda]

So Scalzi is talking about commas, which warms my cold copyeditor heart. I still vividly remember my first months (okay, all 41 months) copyediting for a company that published tax treatises, where my mantra was "I have no idea what it means, but the commas are in the right place." I even, I wouldn't say mastered, as no one masters the semicolon

Comments

[reyvin]

What exactly is a serial comma? Not to be dence but I've just not heard that phrase. Is it a grammar phrase or a copyeditor phrase?

I know some of the core grammar rules of comma useage but I think I break a lot of them (except for the comma splice rule - that one is never to be broken) for the sake of pacing and rhythm, as the author of that blog stated. I have a great appreciation for the core grammar rules but I also feel that strictly adhering to them for the sake of keeping to the rules sometimes alters the text or "voice" of a writing.

[ianrandalstrock]

Since Den hasn't rapidly responded, and such a good question deserves a response:

The serial comma is the one that comes before the "and" in a group of three or more things. Thus, in the sentence "I ate, cereal, bananas, and blueberries for breakfast." the comma between "bananas" and "and" is the serial comma. Now, in a sentence like this, it might not seem terribly important. But I was recently reminded of (I think it was makinglightTheresa Nielsen-Hayden's) example proving the serial commas supreme importance. The hypothetical dedication in a book: "I'd like to thank my parents, God, and Ayn Rand." Go on, I dare you to read that sentence without the serial comma and see if it says the same thing. I dare you.

That is the serial comma.

[den_down_unda]

What Ian said.

I usually use this, that, and the other as my example. One of my friends explains it as Rice Krispies, Cheerios, and Wheat Chex.

The title Eats, Shoots and Leaves is another good example of Serial Comma Confusion(tm).

[reyvin]

Ahhhh, ok, thank you very much. Yes, I've heard recent debates about this "comma issue," if you will. I'm very rusty on grammar rules and therefore probably break comma rules all over the place but that one I would definitely agree with you and Dennis and the other commentors who all laud its praises. I'm considered old fashioned because I still put in the serial comma. I had a huge debate with a college English professor once about it because she said it was "wrong" and I said, "no, it's not." She then agreed that no, technically it's not wrong...just outdated. I said I didn't care. I like it that way.

Your example is a perfect reason why.

[ianrandalstrock]

The serial comma is the font of all that is good and right in the world.

Hee hee. It's also the fount of all that nifty stuff.

[den_down_unda]

Hee hee. It's also the fount of all that nifty stuff.

This is true.

It's the fount and the font. It's very talented that way.