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Okay. I was a biology major so English and grammar are not my strongest subjects. Help... We're doing dictation from Preparing and in level 3 in number 5 there is no comma between May and June. In number 11 there is a comma between October, and November. Could someone explain why and when we would use the comma or not. Thanks much!
Shelly

I don't know why the dictation passages are not consistent, but I do know that experts disagree as to whether to put a comma before the "and" in a series. If you look up "serial comma" on wikipedia you can read all about it. I think that both ways can be considered "correct." My daughter noticed the lack of a comma in dictation passage number 5 because we are in R&S level 3 and it is teaching that you should always use a comma before the "and." I told her that both ways are correct and she shouldn't think it's wrong if she reads something that doesn't have a comma there, but that in her writing I wanted her to use a comma because that is what she is learning in R&S. HTH

I think there are differing views on comma usage. I was taught not to put a comma before the "and" in a series, but I've read recently that a comma should be used before the "and". The important thing is that the reader should be able to understand what the writer meant. I have actually found myself removing commas in the HOD dictation passages. For example, I was never taught to use a comma BEFORE "because." However, sometimes a because clause within a sentence should be set off with a comma. I did a quick search and found this site http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/commas.htm
Debra

Thanks so much. This does help. I was taught to not use a comma before "and" as well so I was confused.

I used to transcribe sermons part-time and have an English background. This has become a preference. At some point in the fairly recent past those who created the grammar texts decided the comma before "and" in a series was unnecessary. At this point it is a preference, neither right nor wrong. My transcription boss preferred it and I prefer it probably because it was what I was taught to do. I believe the reasoning is that commas are commonly overused as it is and there isn't a purpose for the comma before "and". The rule for using a comma with "because" has to do with dependent and independent clauses.

My conclusion: Commas are a pain

I acutally just looked up the original 1906 book and the comma IS there. So, I think it's a typo in the guide.
I know that the rule for series commas has changed today, but these dictation passages are taken from a 100 year old book. We're not on level 3 yet but I'm fixing it in my guide.

Great. Thanks Melissa and Christine. I'll fix my copy too. I guess I'd just like to be consistent with what I teach him. He's a pretty concrete thinker and likes consistency too:). I think it's easier to just say no comma before "and". I understand the because commas and I think he will too. Anyway. Thank you all very much for helping us on this!