Writing: The Comma

The Comma
by William Strunk 1918

In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma
after each term except the last.

Thus write,

red, white, and blue
honest, energetic, but headstrong
He opened the letter, read it, and made a note of its contents.

This is also the usage of the Government Printing Office and of the Oxford
University Press.

In the names of business firms the last comma is omitted, as

Brown, Shipley and Company

The abbreviation etc., even if only a single term comes before it, is always
preceded by a comma.

------------------ About the Author ------------------
William Strunk first published his book: The elements
of style, in 1918. Since then it has sold thousands upon
thounsands of copies. It is a 'must have' reference for
every writer's bookshelf. Currently available from
http://www.ktp.com.au/books/elements.html
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