Grammar Nazis: question on comma usage and spacing

[nater]

Alright I have two questions about grammar that are bugging me.

#1
I was always told that you put two spaces after a period, is that true? Or is it just one?

#2
In a list of items, such as "I ate a pear, a peach, and an apple today" is there a comma before the and or not? I swear I was taught that there is, but recently I've been told there isn't.

 

[Tetsuo]

Originally posted by: nater
Alright I have two questions about grammar that are bugging me. #1 I was always told that you put two spaces after a period, is that true? Or is it just one? #2 In a list of items, such as "I ate a pear, a peach, and an apple today" is there a comma before the and or not? I swear I was taught that there is, but recently I've been told there isn't.

Yes, and yes.

 

[moshquerade]

i second that answer

 

[idNut]

#1 There is only one space after a period.
#2 That is by preference.

 

[CraigRT]

I believe that's your "optional" grammar. I'd say yes and yes to both. but you don't HAVE to use 2 spaces at the end of a sentence. must like I was taught you dont have to use the last comma, but you can. so I do.

 

[Haircut]

#1: I don't, but have been told it is good practice to do so.

#2: No, there should not be a comma before the and.

 

[Gaard]

One space after a period.

When I was in school I was taught that a comma goes in front of 'and', but was also taught that it was becoming so common for people not doing it that not putting a comma there was acceptable also.

 

[spidey07]

#1 - depends. if ending a sentence then you use two spaces. Lot of other reasons to only use one. Abbreviations come to mind like Mr., Dr., etc.

#2 - Either is acceptible

 

[Spoooon]

I only put one space at the end of a sentence. This is according to the Publication Manual of the APA. Of course, it's difficult because in school we were told to use two spaces. The comma thing, I had been taught to use the comma before the and at the end of a list.

 

[Syringer]

I taught I taw a putty cat!!

 

[amnesiac]

It can be:

I ate a pear, a peach, and an apple today.

I ate a pear, a peach and an apple today.

Either one works.

 

[Stojakapimp]

wow, I never realized that two spaces after a period wasn't a universal practice. I had always been taught that there are two spaces after the period that ends a sentence, and then just one space after a comma. I have never heard of the APA, but isn't the MLA the group that sets the grammar rules? Because in their books they teach two spaces after a period

 

[wfbberzerker]

#1 either acceptable
#2 either acceptable

 

[Spoooon]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
wow, I never realized that two spaces after a period wasn't a universal practice. I had always been taught that there are two spaces after the period that ends a sentence, and then just one space after a comma. I have never heard of the APA, but isn't the MLA the group that sets the grammar rules? Because in their books they teach two spaces after a period

MLA- The Medical Library Association (MLA) Style Manual presents guidelines for all MLA publications, print and electronic, including but not limited to the Journal of Medical Library Association (formerly the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association), MLA News, MLA Directory, MLANET, annual meeting publications, monographs, and brochures.

APA- American Psychological Association

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: Haircut

#2: No, there should not be a comma before the and.

this is wrong. from the holt handbook:

In journalistic writing, the comma before the coordinating conjunction that separates the last two items in a series is usually omitted. To avoid ambiguity, however, you should always use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

so whoever told you that there shouldn't be a comma is either wrong, and/or a journalist.

 

[gopunk]

sorry

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: Spoooon

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
wow, I never realized that two spaces after a period wasn't a universal practice. I had always been taught that there are two spaces after the period that ends a sentence, and then just one space after a comma. I have never heard of the APA, but isn't the MLA the group that sets the grammar rules? Because in their books they teach two spaces after a period

MLA- The Medical Library Association (MLA) Style Manual presents guidelines for all MLA publications, print and electronic, including but not limited to the Journal of Medical Library Association (formerly the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association), MLA News, MLA Directory, MLANET, annual meeting publications, monographs, and brochures.

APA- American Psychological Association

APA puts out a publication manual that contains grammar rules and stuff.

So then what's the answer?

 

[Haircut]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: Haircut

#2: No, there should not be a comma before the and.

this is wrong. from the holt handbook:

In journalistic writing, the comma before the coordinating conjunction that separates the last two items in a series is usually omitted. To avoid ambiguity, however, you should always use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

so whoever told you that there shouldn't be a comma is either wrong, and/or a journalist.

I've just done a Google search and it seems this is another difference between US and UK English.

Between the two final items, the comma is usually omitted and "and" is used (American usage is different, however; the final comma is always included before "and"):

Link from Kingston University

 

[gopunk]

I've just done a Google search and it seems this is another difference between US and UK English.

oh i see, that explains things

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: nater
Alright I have two questions about grammar that are bugging me.

#1
I was always told that you put two spaces after a period, is that true? Or is it just one?

#2
In a list of items, such as "I ate a pear, a peach, and an apple today" is there a comma before the and or not? I swear I was taught that there is, but recently I've been told there isn't.

1. YES

2. I think it matters on something.

 

[Spoooon]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: Spoooon

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
wow, I never realized that two spaces after a period wasn't a universal practice. I had always been taught that there are two spaces after the period that ends a sentence, and then just one space after a comma. I have never heard of the APA, but isn't the MLA the group that sets the grammar rules? Because in their books they teach two spaces after a period

MLA- The Medical Library Association (MLA) Style Manual presents guidelines for all MLA publications, print and electronic, including but not limited to the Journal of Medical Library Association (formerly the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association), MLA News, MLA Directory, MLANET, annual meeting publications, monographs, and brochures.

APA- American Psychological Association

APA puts out a publication manual that contains grammar rules and stuff.

So then what's the answer?

According to my APA publication manual, one space after a period and you are supposed to "use a comma between elements (including before and and or) in a series of three or more items."

 

[Hubris]

I've noticed that in some books, to save space, they only use one space after the period. But traditionally, one always uses two spaces. That's how I was taught and so that's what I do.

As for commas, either way is "acceptable", but I think it looks funny without the comma, so I always use it.

 

[eLiu]

#1: according to the MLA handbook, it's one space. However, I have just about always seen double-space.

#2: Not sure...it makes sense to have a comma to separate the items in the list. Personally, I would put one, however I'm not sure as to whether it's incorrect to leave it off.

 

[XZeroII]

They are both personal preference. Just do what you want and be consistant.

 

[Spoooon]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
They are both personal preference. Just do what you want and be consistant.

Well, they're personal preference until you try to get something published, and then you'll have to follow the publication's guidelines.