RE: UK vs US English--difference in comma usage?

["Geoff Lane" <geoff -at- gjctech -dot- co -dot- uk>]

Dick Margulis wrote:

> I'm preparing a UK version of some sales collateral. Our
> corporate style
> (established by yours truly) specifies that we always use a serial
> comma. In reviewing proofs, our UK sales manager insists that
> in the UK,
> "we never" use one.

---
The 1994 edition of the Oxford style guide gives, "comma ... 2. To separate
items (including the last) in a list of more than two items, e.g. Potatoes,
peas, and carrots; Potatoes, peas, or carrots; Potatoes, peas, etc.; Red,
white, and blue."

Hopefully, this usage hasn't changed in the last seven years (because I'm
still using it<vbg>), and this is what you mean by a serial comma.

HTH,

Geoff Lane
Cornwall, UK
geoff -at- gjctech -dot- co -dot- uk


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