Comma to Separate Items in a Series
The Comma
Rulebase Summary
Use a comma to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series. Court reporters should use the serial comma — also called the Oxford comma — (the comma before 'and' at the end of the series) for exactness.
However, if the last two items belong together as a unit, omitting the final comma can show this.
A series of short independent clauses may be separated by commas, but if clauses are long or legally complicated, semicolons or periods are better. When a series contains items that themselves have commas, use semicolons to separate the items.
Examples
A. I grabbed my keys, my wallet and my phone before running outside.
A. I grabbed my keys, my wallet, and my phone before running outside.
Serial comma before 'and' for clarity in court reporting.
Q. Did you speak with the nurse, the doctor or the paramedic?
Q. Did you speak with the nurse, the doctor, or the paramedic?
Use the serial comma to avoid ambiguity.
Transcript Notes
In reporting, always use the comma before the final conjunction when series items are separate and distinct. This ensures it is clear that the last two items are not a unit. Omitting the comma before the conjunction signals that the last two items form a combined element. This distinction has legal significance — the presence or absence of this comma can change the number of items in a list and has been litigated in court.
Style Guide References (7)
Morson's
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