An interesting grammar debate about commas in lists

Posted on: 27 January 2010

I've just read an article on the Internet off someone's blog regarding the use of commas in a list. Now I've always been a little fanatical about grammar, or more the lack of it in todays society. Modern technology (Internet, social networking, mobile phones, etc.) are to blame, but that's a blog entry for another day. This particular article struck home as I can clearly remember the moment when the "correct" method for writing a list was taught to me. Or so I thought.

The article: http://www.davidgagne.net/2002/03/12/list-groupings-correct-use-of-commas/

I just discovered this guy, and I intend to read more of his blog because he seems to know what he's talking about. Plus he has an inane, yet enthusiastic way of explaining it; which I think is great. I thought about summarising his argument, but the best way to understand is simply to read the article.

What I thought I knew is now up in the air. And it seems there isn't a definitive answer. Writing a list will never be the same again.