comma or semicolon in list (age): Jane, 4; Sheldon, 7; and Dawn, 8,

[moonglow]

Jane, 4; Sheldon, 7; and Dawn, 8, will be attending the kids' party on May 8.


Question 1: Comma after the names, and semicolons after the ages of the kids?


Question 2: Comma instead of a semicolon after "8"?


Thank you.

 

[e2efour]

The way you have written the sentence is acceptable. No semi-colon is possible after 8.
(The alternative is to use brackets for the ages and to use commas instead.)

 

[moonglow]

Like this? If correct, which is preferred in formal writing—the version with the semicolons and commas, or the version with the brackets. Thank you.

Jane (4), Sheldon (7), and Dawn (8) will be attending the kids' party on May 8.

 

[e2efour]

I think the version with brackets would be found more often (there is no difference in "formality"). But others may disagree.

 

[Copyright]

Since there is no real possibility for misunderstanding, I would use commas throughout:

Jane, 4, Sheldon, 7, and Dawn, 8, will be attending the kids' party on May 8.

As for which is better, you've given us no context for how this line will be used.