Commas with Items in a Series

Watch it explained

How it worksHow does each comma in a list stand in for the word 'and' that is being left out?
Worked exampleWalk me through punctuating 'She packed maps sunscreen and a compass' as a three-item series.
Common mistakeWhy isn't a comma placed after the last item of a list, as in 'maps, sunscreen, and a compass, fit'?
Going furtherWhat happens to the punctuation when a two-item list is joined by 'and' instead of a three-item one?

Check yourself

Your turneasy1 of 3

An essay reads: 'For the 44-mile crossing she packed maps sunscreen rope and a compass.' Which choice is best for the underlined portion, 'maps sunscreen rope and a compass'?

End of topic.

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