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"And" isn't necessary when listing.
Example: "cats, dogs and mice"
Vs "cats, dogs, mice"
Haven't heard an argument beyond "it's just convention" and I'm lazy enough to not bother with three letters and one syllable.
I think it also can be a little clearer in some situations where the word "and" is included in the list.
Example: "I like jazz, rock and roll and classical"
Vs: "I like jazz, rock and roll, classical"
To me, it sounds like an incomplete list. With the 'and X', I know that X is the last thing in that set. I guess that only really matters in cases where you want to absolutely show that a set only contains certain members.
An “and” before the last item tells you it’s an inclusive list. An “or” before the last item tells you it’s a pick one. A “nor” tells you it wasn’t any of those. It’s word to wait to the last item to know what the list was, but English is a screwed up language.
Yeah that makes sense. I'd still use "or" for listing options. Don't really see how omitting the "and" leads to ambiguity though.
You call yourself a grammar nazi, and don't use the oxford comma?
Grammar was invented by big keyboard to sell more keys, fuck grammar. I was taught not to use Oxford comma here in Aus. Though I guess I do technically use it I just omit the "and" that tags along
For your example, to make the list clearer in writing I would usually do one of the two.
I like Jazz, Rock and Roll, and Classical.
Or
I like Jazz, Rock & Roll and Classical.
(Or the other way around if a list item includes "and" specifically)
I often write in a way that flows better when talking, so I usually try to find ways like the above to make that kind of flow look more understandable in writing too. I don't think your and-less version flows well, in my way of speaking at least. But I also wouldn't tell you to stop doing that, because I can understand it, and that matters most in reality.