[Cassie325]

We are having a family debate and need some help from English teachers and/or Grammar experts. Any back up would be helpful as well.

Here are two examples of sentences...please tell us which one is correct in regards to using a comma:

1) While Mary was traveling through the East Coast she stayed overnight in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine.

OR

2) While Mary was traveling through the East Coast she stayed overnight in New York, Pennsylvania and Maine.

We appreciate any feedback...

[Midge538]

, and Maine.

[Prizmz]

Both versions are acceptable, but the latter is better because the last comma clearly separates the final items in the series. When the final comma is omitted, there is a chance the final two items become a unit like peanutbutter and jelly or ham and eggs.

The clearest use is to include one fewer commas than items in a series.

The introductory adverbial clause should be marked with a comma before "Mary" for clarity between the two elements of the thought. The rule cites the length of the introduction as the factor to use a comma or not to create lucidity.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Midge

, and Maine.

I vote with Midge.

Commas after the state name, too, in the middle of a sentence.

And if you want to see an example -- well, sort of an example -- look at the title of the TOTV Political Forum on the opening list. If that comma were not after Florida, it would look like we were allowed to talk only about Florida politics.

What a difference a comma makes -- sometimes.

Please do not look closely at my own punctuation. OK?

Boomer

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by Prizmz

Both versions are acceptable, but the latter is better because the last comma clearly separates the final items in the series. When the final comma is omitted, there is a chance the final two items become a unit like peanutbutter and jelly or ham and eggs.

The clearest use is to include one fewer commas than items in a series.

The introductory adverbial clause should be marked with a comma before "Mary" for clarity between the two elements of the thought. The rule cites the length of the introduction as the factor to use a comma or not to create lucidity.

Prizmz...thanks...now can you tell this to me in terms that a 6th grader would understand...or rather so that I can explain it in 6th grade terms?

Boomer: I understand about the punctuation...I wish there was a grammar check along with spell check!!

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Cassie325

......Boomer: I understand about the punctuation...I wish there was a grammar check along with spell check!!

Cassie,

Stopitstopitstopit.

Do not wish that grammar check thing on anybody. I broke up long ago with grammar check.

That thing does not know a good compound-complex sentence when it sees one.

And the beauty of the introductory adverbial clause is wasted on grammar check.

And that thing insisted upon calling my short, choppy, incomplete sentences, that I do so love to write, "fragments." Yep, it called them "fragments"! So I just told that grammar check to go frag itself and we broke up. How dare that thing expect both a subject and a predicate from me!

Now, you listen to Boomer. Hear me, now, please. Do not even THINK about trying to get that grammar check thing in here. You can't build nuance into a computer.

Boomer

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Cassie,

Stopitstopitstopit.

Do not wish that grammar check thing on anybody. I broke up long ago with grammar check.

That thing does not know a good compound-complex sentence when it sees one.

And the beauty of the introductory adverbial clause is wasted on grammar check.

And that thing insisted upon calling my short, choppy, incomplete sentences, that I do so love to write, "fragments." Yep, it called them "fragments"! So I just told that grammar check to go frag itself and we broke up. How dare that thing expect both a subject and a predicate from me!

Now, you listen to Boomer! Hear me please. Do not even THINK about trying to get that grammar check thing in here. You can't build nuance into a computer.

Boomer

Listening!! I promise!!

LOL! I know you are absolutely serious....but it truly made me laugh out loud!!


Ok...NO GRAMMAR CHECK!! thing!!

[Prizmz]

Show that there are separate units (phrases or clauses for you - students need only to recognize parts of thought) in the entire thought.

Show the distinct parts of the thought 1. intro tells "when" and 2. the rest tells "what". The introductory part doesn't make sense alone; it adds to the primary part of the thought. The second part of the thought is the primary part (it makes sense alone, and it could be its own sentence).

Show commas as "markers" separating the parts to assure clarity. Commas are not arbitrary. Many folks feel, "It's been a long time since I used a comma; so, I should put some in."

Concerning the list of states, if it makes sense to use a comma to separate NY and PA, continue the pattern putting a comma between PA and ME (PA, and ME). Using one comma fewer than the number of series items will always engender clarity.

Let me know if this helps.

[njgranny]

While Mary was traveling through the East Coast she stayed overnight in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine.

There should be a comma between Coast and she.

While Mary was travelling through the East Coast, she stayed ........

[Best Mom]

Njgranny,
You are so right.!!

Yes, I taught English in middle school for many years.

Our language is always changing and it is more important to not be afraid to post.
We have a President that just kills grammar. So you can be President and get through Ivy League schools and become President...without knowing grammar!( I don't know how he did it!) I read for the message, not the spelling or grammar. It is the thought that counts. (Unless you are in school or for a job interview etc.)

http://www.protrainco.com/info/essays/serial-comma.htm

[golfnut]

# 2

[njgranny]

As long as I can understand a post, it doesn't matter to me how it's written either. I'm so used to my husband's strange style of writing (English is his second language), that not much phases me.

I only put in my two cents because Cassie had questions about grammar to solve a family debate.

[Cassie325]

Originally Posted by njgranny

I only put in my two cents because Cassie had questions about grammar to solve a family debate.

Thanks for your 2 cents!! I love it and always appreciated!

However, I am not sure who has won the debate yet...seems we all have different answers!!

[golfnut]

not sure there is only one right answer, here.....GN