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Serial adjective commas

Forums: Esl, Grammar, English
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derohanes
 
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 06:08 am
In American English should I use commas after a list of adjectives modifying a noun? e.g. new topical creative ideas or new, topical, creative ideas.
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Type: Question • Score: 5 • Views: 710 • Replies: 6
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PUNKEY
 
  2  
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 07:13 am
@derohanes,
new, topical and creative ideas
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neologist
 
  2  
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 12:48 pm
@derohanes,
IMO, you can omit the commas in a short list
If you use commas, most folks add a serial comma and write
new, topical, and creative ideas
contrex
 
  1  
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 12:56 pm
@neologist,
neologist wrote:
most folks add a serial comma

In American English, a majority of style guides mandate use of the serial comma, however it is used less often in British English.
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dalehileman
 
  1  
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 01:14 pm
@derohanes,
Quote:
new, topical, creative ideas
I don't agree with the practice but the second is often omitted

Omitting the first changes the meaning: creative only of new topics; though few would so construct

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neologist
 
  2  
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 01:23 pm
Comma rules are becoming commacal, are they not?
dalehileman
 
  1  
Reply Wed 20 Aug, 2014 02:21 pm
@neologist,
Good one Neo, you've made my day
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