movin' on...Is it OK to have a comma after 'and' or 'but'?

[johnniem]

The 'an hotel' or 'a hotel' query raised some interesting points yesterday, especially the comma query. I often tell our secretaries that a comma should'n't be placed before, or after, a 'but' or 'and' as this is not correct grammer. There is often a need to place said comma against a 'but' or 'and' as there is often a very definite break in a sentence (as in take a breath before continuing) but (that was a perfect example! QED) if the grammarians say it is not acceptable then should it be used or not? If we pride ourselves in the way we write our own language (albeit changing rapidly) then should we not keep to the rules? If we write as we speak when drafting formal reports, either at work or school, then where do we stop if we are using incorrect spellings or grammer?

[victormeldrew]

To mind mind the use of "but" should be treated no differently to the "either" in your sentence above; its is a natural break in speach which should be reflected in the punctuation. IMHO, but I am no expert!

[lightstepper]

An official letter, formal document or essay etc should be carefully checked and presented professionally to maintain a reasonable standard.

Posts on public forums, private messages to mates and non formal documentation should not matter as long as the message is clear.

People who judge and constantly point out every spelling mistake and error where it does not really matter are very petty and small minded. Pure safety camera partnership material.

[minicity]

For lunch I had fish and chips and apple pie and custard.

For lunch I had fish and chips, and apple pie and custard.

Which one is more clear?

[lightstepper]

Makes no difference. I can understand both perfectly well.

[Yugguy]

minicity said:

For lunch I had fish and chips and apple pie and custard. For lunch I had fish and chips, and apple pie and custard. Which one is more clear?

You could also argue it could be:

For lunch I had fish and chips, apple pie and custard.

[Eric Mc]

It's not a big issue really. The normal useage would be NOT to place commas ahead of conjunctions like "but" and "and". However, it is often done and, in most cases (see example) it does not screw up the sentence. In fact, it can make the sentence easier to read.

[hugoagogo]

completely off topic, but a sentence with 5 'and's one after the other?

discussing the spaces on a sign saying 'rock and roll'

"the spaces between rock and and and and and roll"

[victormeldrew]

Yugguy said:

minicity said: For lunch I had fish and chips and apple pie and custard. For lunch I had fish and chips, and apple pie and custard. Which one is more clear? You could also argue it could be: For lunch I had fish and chips, apple pie and custard.

What, all together?

[johnniem]

Yugguy said:

minicity said: For lunch I had fish and chips and apple pie and custard. For lunch I had fish and chips, and apple pie and custard. Which one is more clear? You could also argue it could be: For lunch I had fish and chips, apple pie and custard.

Or even

For lunch I had fish, chips, apple pie and custard. Or; for lunch I had fish and chips followed by Apple pie and custard.

Anal or what!

[Plotloss]

Comma after the and is proper grammar.

Depending on whether one is anal enough to follow the Oxford comma ruling...

[cazzer]

minicity said:

For lunch I had fish and chips and apple pie and custard. For lunch I had fish and chips, and apple pie and custard. Which one is more clear?

CLEARER FFS...
Sorry, that one is my pet peeve.

[Yugguy]

hugoagogo said:

completely off topic, but a sentence with 5 'and's one after the other? discussing the spaces on a sign saying 'rock and roll' "the spaces between rock and and and and and roll"

And I think this would make better sense with 6ands.

"The spaces between rock and and and and and and roll.

[hugoagogo]

Yugguy said:

hugoagogo said: completely off topic, but a sentence with 5 'and's one after the other? discussing the spaces on a sign saying 'rock and roll' "the spaces between rock and and and and and roll" And I think this would make better sense with 6ands. "The spaces between rock and and and and and and roll.

no it wouldn't
between ROCK and AND
and
AND and ROLL
wehere would the other one go?

[Code Monkey]

hugoagogo said:

Yugguy said: hugoagogo said: completely off topic, but a sentence with 5 'and's one after the other? discussing the spaces on a sign saying 'rock and roll' "the spaces between rock and and and and and roll" And I think this would make better sense with 6ands. "The spaces between rock and and and and and and roll. no it wouldn't between ROCK and AND and AND and ROLL wehere would the other one go?

would it not be clearer to word it
between ROCK an AND
an
AND and ROLL

gives distinction and definition of the words, in the sentence

[hugoagogo]

Code Monkey said:

would it not be clearer to word it between ROCK an AND an AND and ROLL gives distinction and definition of the words, in the sentence

eh? an?

[speedychrissie]

you can take the "5 ands in a row" a bit further by "discussing" it:

Wouldn't the sentence "I want to put a hyphen between the words Fish and And and And and Chips in my Fish-And-Chips sign" have been clearer if quotation marks had been placed before Fish, and between Fish and and, and and and And, and And and and, and and and And, and And and and, and and and Chips, as well as after Chips?

in this case i would say that the commas do help, although it is such a ridiculous sentance anyway!

[Mrs Trackside]