Perhaps you are interested in grammar. The serial comma occurs in lists of three or more words. We use it in situations like listing body parts: head, shoulders, knees, and toes. The last comma separating 'knees' and 'and' is called the serial comma. While there is no official ruling on its inclusion or exclusion, in most technical or formal usage it is included. To my sense, it ought to be excluded. Observe.
1. John, Paul, George, and Ringo had phenomenal luck.
2. John, Paul, George and Ringo had a phenomenal lunch.
2 comments:
I always thought that 2 was the correct way to do it.
You're not entirely correct in saying there is no official ruling. It just depends on what you consider official. If you don't think the Modern Language Associate official enough (they do use the serial comma) refer to the American Psychological Association and they'll agree that a third comma is superfluous.
Either way, Ringo didn't really enjoy lunch.
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