If you enumerate things more than 3 things in a sentence, where do you put the comas and the word "and?"

Question

For example, what's the proper way of writing the phrase "hook line and sinker?"

A) hook, line and sinker
B) hook, line, and sinker

Would the number of items being enumerated affect the punctuation?

Answer 1

I do B but both are correct

various publications might use a specific rule here though

Answer 2

There is much debate over the "serial comma" (that's the comma after your word "line"), although most authorities on American English recommend its use, including the United States Government Printing Office, the Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Medical Association. Some oppose its mandatory use, including The Times and the AP Stylebook. So it's up to you. I personally recommend using it though. Go with option B.

For just two items, always use the word "and" without commas.

Answer 3

Brits and Indians are taught B.

In the US nobody really cares. A is very common.

Canada: no idea, but I guess B.

In many languages, the comma acts both as a "speech pause" sign and as a logical AND operator. So ", and" is redundant from the LOGICAL point, but is perfectly justified w.r.t. describing speech.

I use the comma also in languages where it's formally out, such as Italian, German etc.. Nobody complains.

Suggestion: ask Microsoft Word ! :-)

Answer 4

in simple terms like many different phrases in arabic it could have many diverse meanings. additionally Allah might have in simple terms referred to as the e book, sign up, checklist , and so on via imam because of fact of that is super awareness. first and maximum excellent however what does that ought to do such as your imams who basically made claims to it did they demonstrate lots revelation tou you? no no longer that i understand of. Al-Hashr [a27b38b83d91f3975570d9ad659f683a27b38b83d91f3975570d9ad659f683a27b38b83d91f3975570d9ad659f683a27b38b83d91f3975570d9ad659f683a27b38b83d91f3975570d9ad659f683] If We had led to this Qur'an to descend upon a mountain, thou (O Muhammad) verily hadst seen it humbled, lease asunder via the phobia of Allah. Such similitudes coin We for mankind that haply they might replicate. right here we see that the qur'an a e book is given features of something different than a e book including concern, and humility that's the case interior the verse you quoted.

Answer 5

B is correct. If you only used two items, commas would not be needed.

hook, line, and sinker
hook and line

Answer 6

The correct way is A.

You should never follow a comma with 'and', just as it's considered bad form to start a sentence with 'and'.

A) Hook, line and sinker.

Answer 7

A is the better in my opinion (because that's the way I use it ;). You put comma before "and" only when it links two sentences. In this case it links nouns and not sentences, so a comma is not needed.

But I wouldn't make it a big deal. B is fine too.

Answer 8

the proper way to say it is:
hook, line, and sinker

Answer 9

comma between every pair except the last two, where you put and (option A in your example)

Answer 10

A is the correct one.
You shouldn't put a comma before an 'and', it's just not the proper way to do it. It may kinda look pretty wierd, but I still pick letter A!