Questions tagged [lists]

For questions on writing, formatting and speaking a group of connected or related items.

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How to refer to an item in a numbered list?

Let's say I've described an algorithm using numbered list: If the types of 'x' and 'y' are the same, return strict equality comparison result. If one of them is 'null' and the other is 'undefined', ...
Igor Adamenko's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
41 views

How would you join a dependent clause to an independent clause that ends with a list?

Here is an example: I have developed my ability to identify the factors that impact my physical, mental, and emotional health[,] and am beginning to apply this understanding to make informed ...
Baarks's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
25 views

When an adjective is in front of a noun listed as part of a group, does the adjective also apply to the other nouns? [closed]

I will use an example to explain my question... Transphobia is an irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people. In the above sentence, is the true definition that ...
Gettoknonow's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

You don't use a comma listing only two items, but SAT Reading Passage does. Why?

"Great Writing" series taught me not to use a comma when listing only two(2) items. Grammarly and Google search seems to tell me the same. When there are two items in a list, don't use a ...
Vida's user avatar
  • 113
12 votes
6 answers
2k views

Confusion from a Vocative Comma before a List

Is there any alternative punctuation to eliminate the ambiguity between the vocative comma and the list comma in a sentence like "John, Paul, George, and Ringo arrived earlier." The idea is ...
Dion Wall's user avatar
  • 137
2 votes
1 answer
95 views

Use of a comma to separate two items in a list

I wanted to ask a question about the use of commas when separating two items in a list. I was reading an article in Reuters concerning two different banks listed in the headline: Deutsche bank, ...
vik1245's user avatar
  • 141
0 votes
0 answers
7 views

Modifiers and Qualifiers Preceding a Comma Separated List [duplicate]

If the sentence reads I will bring vegan meatballs, soups, and sandwiches. Does vegan modify the entire list? I would think so, otherwise I would have to write I will bring vegan meatballs, vegan ...
Confused Guest's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

Punctuation in a bulleted list, title and description

I'm making documention for a piece of software and I need to write multiple lists, namely menus and functions of the software. Currently items are formatted this way: • File ◦ New – ...
Mykola Tetiuk's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
33 views

Was/were when listing individually [closed]

I recently wrote something saying: Present at the meeting was the mayor, the chief of police, and city council members. My coworker flagged this, as moving the clause to the end of the sentence ...
Christina's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
73 views

Is there a proper/better way to write a serial comma separated list of dates? It feels like I shouldn't be mixing date commas with the serial commas

For example, consider the following sentence: The company mentioned the project in press releases dated September 13, 2020, May 21, 2022, and June 8, 2022. Is that the correct way to write it? It ...
Jay's user avatar
  • 101
4 votes
1 answer
102 views

Usage of the word "candle" to refer to a specific item in a list

In Maltese English, whenever items in a list are preceded by letters or Roman numerals instead of numbers, we would say that the list is made up of candles. Let us suppose we have the following two ...
Al-cameleer's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
46 views

Use of comma and periods in lists [closed]

I have a doubt about how to write a list. Each item of the list must end with a comma or a period? Comma: Item 1, Item 2, and Item 3. Periods: Item 1. Item 2. Item 3.
Abel Gutiérrez's user avatar
-1 votes
3 answers
132 views

When do you put a comma after the last word or thing in a long list followed by a verb and object?

When do you put a comma after the last word or thing in a long list followed by a verb and object? This question in the context of a novel is about the last or terminal comma after a long list that ...
Danny D.'s user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
362 views

Should all words be capitalized when separated by an ampersand in a bullet list?

Should all words be capitalized when separated by an ampersand in a bullet list? e.g., Department of Chemistry Physics & Chemistry seminars <--- ?
Randy Zeitman's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
86 views

How to write a list of items, where the last item is a compound item? [duplicate]

I have a sentence that contains a list of items, and the last item in the list contains an "and" (e.g. like a pet shop may sell "hampsters" and "cat and dog beds", but ...
Lawrence Wagerfield's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
233 views

Trying to explain grammatical error in fragmented compound sentence [closed]

It was a turning point that led us to discover the unique opportunity to apply the technology to aerospace, and the company rebranded as *****. Could somebody possibly help me explain what is wrong ...
Alexandra's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
24 views

Semicolon, comma, vs colon in list of size two

I have a sentence here. "The different types of switchgrass fall into two categories: upland and lowland." Can I replace the colon with a comma? Tonally, it sounds alright, but is it allowed ...
danishanish's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
176 views

Should I separate multiple "ands" in a series with commas? [closed]

I enjoy eating apples and cherries and pears and bananas. OR I enjoy eating apples, and cherries, and pears, and bananas. I apologize if this question was listed somewhere else, but I can't find a ...
swedish girl's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
47 views

Is this list syntax correct?

I saw the following sentence earlier: We’ll help you win across every channel, every format and on your terms. I interpret that as one of the following: We’ll help you win; [across every channel], [...
swilton's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
97 views

Using colon and semi-colon in a list

I saw this sentence structure on this document online: Application for a Social Security Card. Can you tell me why there is no "period" in this structure? Where can I learn how to use a ...
user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
76 views

Was vs Were in list with number disagreement

I'm unsure whether to use 'was' or 'were' in describing this list. There [was/were] food, games, performances, and much more. I want to divide the list down singular vs plural lines: There were ...
Bryan Arneson's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
20 views

proper construction of a list

In a list, the last item is preceded by "and". This sentence appeared in a recent Foreign Affairs article: The United States and its allies and partners are imposing harsh costs on Moscow. ...
Kic's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
1 answer
151 views

Is it okay to put a colon after an acronym? [duplicate]

For example, when writing a list of fields to be filled e.g. Name: D.O.B.: Address: Is the colon after D.O.B. correct?
Gospel77's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
171 views

Can I use a question mark for a list after a colon?

For example, After the incident, I was no longer sure who to blame: Ethan, Michael, or Jake? Or is there a better way to phrase this sentence?
Alvino123's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
51 views

Too many “and”s - separating clauses vs. list items

I have the following sentence and feel like my usage of “and” is awkward since it makes it look like a list of three things: The scale of the problem has only become greater thanks to the internet ...
Laegas's user avatar
  • 1
1 vote
1 answer
44 views

How should I punctuate a literal reference to a list item, including its label?

I am trying to punctuate a reference back to an option displayed in a letter-labeled list, as one might see on a quiz in school. I have searched CMOS and StackExchange but haven’t found a precedent. ...
Cary Millsap's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
47 views

Differentiate apposition from list [closed]

In the following sentence, I can only distinguish by knowing whether this is an apposition, i.e. the basic principles of material supply are kitting and line stocking, or whether the whole thing is a ...
Sebastian E's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
53 views

Listing items with item itself having comma [duplicate]

We looked at potential publishers for this paper, including European Conference on Object-Oriented Programming, Object-oriented Programming, Systems, Languages, and Applications, and IEEE Transactions ...
Gqqnbig's user avatar
  • 171
2 votes
1 answer
123 views

Should I use a semicolon or a comma after a semicolon-separated list?

I have a list of items separated by semicolons, because the items themselves contain commas. If this were a comma-separated list, I would offset it from the rest of the sentence with a comma, but I'm ...
Tashus's user avatar
  • 196
0 votes
0 answers
59 views

How to properly use semicolon for a list of sentences in business writing?

I ran into a fraud company and now trying to file a dispute. But unfortunately, it didn't approve. So, right now I'm trying to fight it by starting with the refund policy. And hoping someone can help ...
Vinsin's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
4 answers
88 views

How do I use a conjunction to join two clauses directly after a list of terms?

I am trying to offer a choice between two options, the first of which has several sub-options. I'm unsure how to express this in a grammatically correct and clear manner. What I have currently is ...
adam's user avatar
  • 9
0 votes
1 answer
70 views

ACT Comma Question [duplicate]

I came across this sentence on the ACT: It was adopted by the Akkadians, Hittites, Persians, and others, and used for over 3,000 years. I can see that the comma in "and others, and used" ...
Confused's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
56 views

Should I use a comma to separate a list of two numeric elements when one element is a range?

In a two-element list such as "items 1 to 6 and 11", should the two elements be separated by a comma? I have been told that without the comma, the list can be interpreted to mean "items ...
Adam's user avatar
  • 1
14 votes
1 answer
2k views

If I use the word "enumerated", must the list be numeric or can it be bullet points?

If I use the word "enumerated" in writing, must the list I am enumerating be numeric or can it be bullet points?
Matt's user avatar
  • 447
0 votes
1 answer
41 views

Is it correct to use a comma before naming a list of items in a sentence? [closed]

The question is about the first comma use in the sentences below. I have not seen such comma-punctuation in a sentence that continues with naming several listed items. Is the first comma in these ...
qw45ty's user avatar
  • 65
0 votes
1 answer
44 views

Dissertation: correct writing of a numbered list [closed]

Are there any grammatical rules for numbered lists (my university does not have a guideline for this)? Which format would be correct for the given example of numbered objectives? Two things that I ...
qw45ty's user avatar
  • 65
1 vote
0 answers
48 views

Is it correct to drop the repeating noun (except for the last one) in a list?

I can't find the grammar rule about dropping a repeated noun in a list. I'm not sure what it's called and Search results weren't relevant. I'd like to try this construction myself if it's ...
Uxana Jordan's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
76 views

What's this usage of comma, separating of a list of independent clauses?

This is a sentence from the book "The Brothers Karamazov" (page 8): He spent a disorderly adolescence and youth: he never finished high school; later he landed in some military school, then ...
babeimi's user avatar
  • 21
0 votes
0 answers
29 views

Should singulars or plurals be used in lists of quantity after a number that is plural when the list is "[number]x item"?

Should singulars or plurals be used in lists of quantity after a number that is plural when the list is "[number]x item"? For example, in the following list, should entry 2 be "6x ...
FinnPlayz_'s user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
622 views

Does a "from...to" list require commas?

Take the following sentence: "The success of the 1987 television show and 1990 film fueled the sales of everything from toys to toothbrushes to video games." The following feels better: &...
Ryan's user avatar
  • 1
0 votes
0 answers
32 views

Comma needed using and em-dash paranthetical within a list?

What's the correct use of an em-dash within a comma-separated list? E.g. is, "Tom only likes four colours: red, blue—although he's on the fence—, green, and yellow" correct or is, "Tom ...
James Goodchild's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
83 views

Dashes to provide parenthetical information to an item in list - example from BBC?

Quoting the BBC website at https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-51047186 It was understood the couple would continue to receive money for a time from Harry's father under the new agreement, although ...
k1eran's user avatar
  • 22.5k
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the difference between the Honor Roll and the Dean's List? [closed]

I can't really find a clear answer for this question. I would appreciate if someone does know how to differentiate between the two. Thanks!
caproki's user avatar
  • 153
1 vote
2 answers
314 views

How could I use "respectively" to state three actions by subsets of four people?

For a scientific paper, I need to write these sentences as one sentence using "respectively". Arnold and Benson [1] proved the claim when X is a rainbow set. Carlson [2] proved the claim ...
dache1771's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
113 views

Can a pronoun be dropped in a list?

Towing insurance provides protection against collision damage to your automobile while you are attaching (it) to, towing (it) by, or detaching it from a covered rental truck or while it is loaded onto,...
Homochocolate's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
43 views

How to punctuate and make concise a sentence that contains a list and then describes each item in the list?

How to punctuate and make concise a sentence that contains a list and then describes each item in the list? One possible structure of the sentence I would like to punctuate is: I do not have any ...
thegoodhunter-9115's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
562 views

What is the correct grammar to describe a vast range of things in a list (without listing them off)?

If I wanted to describe a large variety of things in a given space, how could I do that? For example - In my library, we have bought a bunch of supplies to create a Makerspace. How could I describe ...
kirstybobirsty's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
50 views

How do I write a number range that includes all decimals of the last number? [closed]

I am trying to write out a number range that would include all decimals within the last integer listed. The number range will be used as a label on a web form, so it should be as concise as possible. ...
TrevasaurusRex's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
107 views

Should I use a comma or semicolon to separate the items in this sentence [duplicate]

We have planned to modify the product mobile phone and address the following sustainable development goals: Responsible Consumption and Production, Good Health and Well Being. or We have planned to ...
vinoth s's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
48 views

Modifying a whole list of nouns by attaching modifier to the first noun only

With sentences like: I visited the parks in the area, museums, and shops. We enjoyed dancing on our wedding day, chatting to guests, and listening to the band. He spoke to all the boys in the ...
fantastic_kotatsu's user avatar

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