Commas are regarded as dangerous in legal documents – they introduce ambiguity in the meaning.
Are commas used in legal documents?
According to Cuny School of Law, commas must separate independent clauses whenever they are joined together by coordinating conjunctions, such as and, for, but, or, yet and nor. You should also use commas to separate three or more phrases, clauses or words within a sentence (eg:phrases, clauses or words).
How are commas used in legal writing?
“In legal writing, place a comma at the end of each item listed, including the item listed immediately before the and.” Mary Barnard Ray & Jill J. Ramsfield, Legal Writing: Getting It Right and Getting It Written 86 (4th ed., West Group 2005).
What does a comma mean in legal terms?
a short pause
Commas are used to show a short pause within a sentence. They should be used with care as a misplaced comma can alter the intended meaning of the sentence.
Why are commas so misused?
The comma is one of the most abused and misused punctuation marks in the English language. The comma gives us the dreaded run-on sentence, the confusion of verb separation and odd sentence fragments, and—when missing altogether—some of the most hilarious misunderstandings in the grammar world.
Why do lawyers not use the Oxford comma?
Usually the Oxford comma is the safest way to avoid ambiguity, though there are no guarantees. But inconsistent use in a single document or across multiple documents invites litigation—so avoid it.
What is the standard format for legal documents?
8.5 x 11 inches
So, stick to standard size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) double-spaced in a readable, professional font. If your firm has a preferred font, it’s fine to use it here. All chapters, pages, appendixes, and exhibits should be kept in order. Number pages consecutively from start to finish (as opposed to chapter-by-chapter).
Why is proper grammar necessary in legal writing?
Lawyers work with the written word and are obligated to handle the language with mastery, accuracy and precision. Their main duty is to adequately articulate the positions and the arguments of their clients, and know how to clearly communicate their ideas.
What are the 3 rules for commas?
Since I made such a stink about it, let’s start with this rule:
- Use a comma between items in a series or list.
- Use a comma between two independent clauses separated by a conjunction.
- Use a comma between two adjectives preceding a noun.
- Your Mission.
Do law firm names have commas?
” In the 20th century, most law firm names were designed to emphasize the individuality of the lead partners, hence the commas separating their names,” he wrote in an email.
Is the Oxford comma unprofessional?
While the Oxford comma is technically grammatically correct, it is most often unnecessary and pointless. Thus, writers and editors should eliminate the comma unless it is absolutely essential for comprehension.
How do you list items in legal writing?
In legal writing, colons are typically used to introduce list items. After all, law is a series of elemental lists. Where lawyers often go astray with colons, however, is failing to make the introductory clause a complete independent clause.
Do commas go inside quotes legal?
Punctuation before and after quotation marks
Commas should also always go inside the quotation mark. Other punctuation marks go outside of the quotation unless they appear in the original source.
What is the comma controversy?
This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or Oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of Oxford University Press.” There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity, and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity.
When should commas not be used?
9. Don’t use commas when you are ending a sentence with an exclamation point or question mark.
What is an unnecessary comma called?
Except after an introductory dependent clause, do not use a comma to separate a dependent clause from a main clause unless the dependent clause provides nonessential information. See also Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Modifiers.
Why do people want to get rid of the Oxford comma?
Many opponents of the Oxford comma claim that it makes a piece of writing sound more pretentious and stuffy, and that it can make things seem cluttered and redundant. Many magazine publishers renounce its use as well, because sentences loaded with commas take up valuable page space.
Is the Oxford comma pretentious?
The blue-blood punctuation mark, named after the Oxford University Press, acts as a social signifier, a sieve for the bookish and studious (and, perhaps, pretentious). It suggests personality traits that extend far beyond punctuation preferences. There are other ways of doing this in your Tinder profile, of course.
What’s the difference between an Oxford comma and a regular comma?
What is an Oxford comma? To give the Oxford comma its technical definition, it is a comma used before the final conjunction in a list of three or more items. When you’re writing a list, you naturally include commas to separate each item, but an Oxford comma is when you also put a comma before the “and [Final Item]”.
What writing format do lawyers use?
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, print. The style most commonly used by lawyers and legal scholars.
What type of format do lawyers use?
Most lawyers use WordPerfect and Microsoft Word.