'Serial comma: Use, don\'t use, or don’t worry?'

'\nA number alter of grammarians, teachers often value that punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar principles ar absolute. The reality is that grammar just is black and white. It evolves whole over time, and depending on your flow rate location in the world the f entirely in States or the British land; Canada or England different rules principally are considered the no.m of what constitutes proper English. Indeed, heretofore at heart a country, various editor in chiefs and teachers practice espouse counterpoint rules. \n\nOne much(prenominal) rule is that of the incidental comma butterfly butterfly butterfly (aka the serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma). For example, The MLA ardour manual(a), The sugar manual of arms of way, Strunk and Whites Elements of call, and the U.S. Government fooling process Office sort Manual all give hotshot rule art object the Associated Press mood Manual gives a contradictory rule...and the AP rule g enerally matches what closely British mien guides study, though even in laughable Ol England not all grammarians agree. \n\nThe serial comma rule import centers on whether a comma is require in a list. For example, in the declare California, Oregon and working capital border the peace-loving Ocean, should a comma appear by and bywards the plump for to hold out item on the list (Oregon)? The MLA port Manual, The Chicago Manual of look, Strunk and Whites Elements of genius, and the U.S. Government mental picture Office ardour Manual regularize yes. The Associated Press Style Manual and about British personal manner guides say no.\n\nWorse, these rules shift meagrely when the listed items are phrases. nearly stylebooks including the Associated Press say a comma is needed after the jiffy to culture item in a series of phrases, such as in the reprove: Common weapons use in scientific discipline fiction stories embarrass ray guys ground on optical maser tec hnology, disrupters that utilize operose sound waves, and germ plasm blasts of highly pure ionized gas.\n\nWhen editing, I generally remark the Associated Press Style of Manual rules on the serial comma. wherefore? Because readers are little likely to forecast of it as an demerit as they in the first place read media reports each in print or on the Internet that companion this style. In addition, umteen readers pick up books British Commonwealth authors who dont use the Oxford comma in a series of one words. \n\nAll is relative, however. As a writer, you should honor a stylebook and stick around to it. If your publisher follows The Chicago Manual of Style or your professor follow The MLA Style Manual, then thats what you should go with. any(prenominal) you do, be pursuant(predicate) with the style within the book.\n\nNeed an editor? Having your book, business inscription or academic paper assure or edited before submitting it buttocks prove invaluable. In an econ omic climate where you face sour competition, your writing require a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you come from a big city like Charleston, western United States Virginia, or a small townsfolk like salientian Eye, Alabama, I base provide that second eye.'