comma before 'and' [serial c.]: for order, status, and respect; and

D

Deaf Monkey

Member
English
You know how you might have a sentence with three items separated by a comma at the end . . .

"Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah this, that, or some other thing."

Well, what if for example, the 'that,' had its own comma separation with three items. It starts to become confusing comma wise. Should the main points be separated by a semi-colon instead, or am I thinking too much about it and should just use commas?

Thanks-
 
    • Semi-colons are indeed used for separation where commas do not provide enough clarity.

    You aren't thinking too much about it. You can never think too much about punctuation. :)
     
    Thanks, so it might look then like:

    "Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah this; bla bla this, that, or the other; and bla the last thing."
     
    I'm sorry, but I don't think your question is answerable unless you can provide realistic example sentences. The answer is quite likely to be different depending on what the variables "blah blah blah", "this" and "that" actually represent.
     
    Sorry, I see your point. This is the idea . . .

    In a way, the sport of soccer is a microcosm of life; the need to choose sides and belong; the struggle for order, status, and respect; and the hope that one day you'll see something phenomenal.
    Click to expand...
     
    In a way, the sport of soccer is a microcosm of life; the need to choose sides and belong; the struggle for order, status, and respect; and the hope that one day you'll see something phenomenal.
    Click to expand...

    That's fine, except that the punctuation after the introductory phrase that leads to the list ("microcosm of life") should be a colon.
     
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