Questions tagged [lists]
For questions on writing, formatting and speaking a group of connected or related items.
371
questions
0
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Am I wrong to 'bracket' the Saxon possessive? [duplicate]
I recently wrote, on Stack Exchange, in regard to the books of the bible :
... Paul, Mark and Luke's contributions ...
I did so instinctively and afterwards realised what I had done.
Am I wrong to '...
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2
votes
1
answer
53
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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', ...
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1
answer
48
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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 ...
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0
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1
answer
27
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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 ...
6
votes
3
answers
2k
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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 ...
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12
votes
6
answers
2k
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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 ...
- 137
2
votes
1
answer
139
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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, ...
- 141
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0
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7
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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 ...
0
votes
0
answers
38
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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 – ...
0
votes
1
answer
40
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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
87
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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 ...
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4
votes
1
answer
104
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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 ...
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1
vote
1
answer
49
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.
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-1
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3
answers
194
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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 ...
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-1
votes
1
answer
415
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 <--- ?
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1
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94
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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 ...
2
votes
1
answer
234
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 ...
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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 ...
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0
votes
1
answer
238
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 ...
0
votes
1
answer
49
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], [...
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0
votes
2
answers
150
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 ...
user450250
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0
answers
91
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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 ...
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.
...
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0
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1
answer
195
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?
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0
answers
179
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?
-1
votes
1
answer
52
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 ...
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1
vote
1
answer
46
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. ...
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1
vote
0
answers
48
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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 ...
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1
answer
55
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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 ...
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2
votes
1
answer
138
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 ...
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0
answers
61
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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 ...
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4
answers
95
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 ...
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1
answer
73
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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" ...
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0
answers
58
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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 ...
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14
votes
1
answer
2k
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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?
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42
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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 ...
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1
answer
48
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 ...
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1
vote
0
answers
49
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 ...
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1
answer
77
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 ...
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0
answers
29
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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 ...
0
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0
answers
664
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:
&...
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0
answers
33
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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 ...
0
votes
2
answers
92
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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 ...
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2
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2k
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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!
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vote
2
answers
352
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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 ...
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2
answers
125
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,...
0
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0
answers
46
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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 ...
2
votes
3
answers
600
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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 ...
2
votes
0
answers
55
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.
...
-1
votes
1
answer
108
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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 ...
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