Table of Contents
What is a serial list in writing?
“Serial” is a word that describes something that forms a series or is produced in multiple parts. Items in a series occur whenever a sentence includes a list of two or more things. A serial sentence is a sentence that contains a list of three or more words, phrases, clauses, etc.
What is a series item?
Items in a series occur whenever a sentence lists two or more things. The items can be any type of grammatical unit, such as nouns, verbs, participles, infinitives, or subordinate clauses, to name a few. Leaping, colliding, and dodging = list of present participles.
What does a serial comma look like?
To define: a serial comma is the optional comma used at the end of a list. The most common conjunctions in a list are “and” and “or.” The serial comma is the comma that comes before the conjunction: I like cookies, cupcakes(,) and gumdrops. (The comma before and is the serial comma.)
Can you use a semicolon in a list?
Semicolons can be used to link items in a list, such as objects, locations, names and descriptions. Where the list items already contain commas, a semicolon helps avoid confusion between the items; in this way the semicolon acts like a ‘super comma’.
How do you list a series in a sentence?
Example of sentences containing items in a series:
- For breakfast, I had cereal, juice, and toast.
- My best friends are Paul, Amanda, and Quinn.
- The moon, the stars, and the sun all appear in the sky.
- Brush your teeth, wash your face, and go to bed.
What are series of words?
In English grammar, a series is a list of three or more items (words, phrases, or clauses), usually arranged in parallel form. Also known as a list or catalog. The items in a series are usually separated by commas (or semicolons if the items themselves contain commas). See Serial Commas.
What is the serial comma rule?
A serial comma simply means that a comma will separate each element in a series of three or more, even before the coordinating conjunctions “and” and before “or.” The following are simple examples that use serial commas: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies.
Should I use serial comma?
The serial comma is used right before the conjunction (and, or) that precedes the final item in a series. Although not grammatically necessary, the use of this comma is preferred in academic and other formal writing, especially in American usage.
How many items are in a series?
three
Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms In English grammar, a series is a list of three or more items (words, phrases, or clauses), usually arranged in parallel form. Also known as a list or catalog. The items in a series are usually separated by commas (or semicolons if the items themselves contain commas).
What is series example?
A sequence is also known as progression and a series is developed by sequence. For example, 2, 4, 6, 8 is a sequence with four elements and the corresponding series will be 2 + 4 + 6+ 8, where the sum of the series or value of the series will be 20.
Which is the best definition of a serial?
This is a list of serial drama television series. A serial is a television show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in sequential episode-by-episode fashion.
What do you call a unique serial number?
Serial number. Sometimes abbreviated as Serial No., SN or S/N, a serial number is a unique number used for identification and inventory purposes.
When do you use a serial comma in a list?
This comma precedes the final item in a list or series, before the word and or or. With the exception of newspapers, most publications use the serial comma, because it helps writers avoid ambiguity.
How many characters are in a serial number?
Most serial numbers have at least six or seven characters, and some serial numbers have twenty or more. Hardware – A serial number for a hardware device is often on the bottom or back of the device.