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Subject:RE: UK vs US English--difference in comma usage? From:"Mark Moloney" <mmoloney -at- network365 -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 25 May 2001 11:38:02 +0100
Dick Margulis asked about serial commas:
>>>
In reviewing proofs, our UK sales manager insists that in the UK,
"we never" use one. [...] Any UK folks want to comment?
<<<
The serial comma is sometimes called "the Oxford comma" because it's a part
of the style guide used by the Oxford University Press. It's supposed to be
uncommon practice in British English to use it, but I don't think this is
true in fact. I always use a serial comma to exclude any chance of ambiguity
(classic example: "To my parents, Ayn Rand and God."). I'd suggest that you
use that argument to defend it if you prefer to keep it.
____________________
Mark Moloney
NETWORK365
Technical Writer
Tel +353-1-276-4538 (direct)
Tel +353-1-276 4500 (reception)
Fax +353-1-276 4533
www.network365.com
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