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Subject:Re: Commas in a series From:BurkBrick -at- AOL -dot- COM Date:Fri, 20 May 1994 15:35:40 EDT
>We have an ongoing disagreement in our office as to the proper
>use of commas in a simple series. This IS elementary, I agree,
>but it is time for a definitive answer and I'm turning to you!
If it wasn't for the "elementary" things, technical writing would be easy!
>One "camp" follows the AP Stylebook (The flag is red, white and blue.)
>The other holds to The Elements of Style (The flag is red, white,
>and blue.)
>Preferences, please? All comments are welcome. Thanks, Pam
I'll probably get trounced on for this, but I only put the comma in if it is
needed for clarity. My rational (however flimsy it might be) is that it's one
less element, therefore removing it reduces clutter.