Given that "A" is one set and "B" and "C" are cohesive, how should the following phrase be punctuated correctly?
A and B and C
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Possible duplicate of Using a comma in a sentence with multiple “and”s and Sentence with multiple 'and's: should I use an Oxford comma, and if so, where? – RegDwigнt Oct 15 '13 at 14:41
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"Bacon and eggs with toast". – Hot Licks May 23 '22 at 13:26
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@HotLicks, this, considered in the abstract, creates the same ambiguity, as it is not obvious whether and is of a higher order than with or the other way round. If one were not familiar with bacon and eggs, one could wonder whether the order is for bacon-and-eggs with toast or for bacon and eggs-with-toast. – jsw29 May 23 '22 at 17:51
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You can write the matched pair with an ampersand instead of the word and to indicate that they are closer than the other items in the list:
We ordered spaghetti and fish & chips.
This usage isn't universal, although Wikipedia notes some specific cases where it's preferred:
In film credits for stories, screenplays, etc., & indicates a closer collaboration than and. The ampersand is used by the Writers Guild of America to denote two writers collaborating on a specific script, rather than one writer rewriting another's work. . . .
The ampersand can be used to indicate that the "and" in a listed item is a part of the item's name and not a separator (e.g. "Rock, pop, rhythm & blues, and hip hop").
If you're working with a particular style guide, it may have advice on whether ampersands are preferred (or forbidden) for these kinds of cases.
Bradd Szonye
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The only way to do it as it stands is A, and B and C. Whether that would be clear enough depends on the context. If it wasn't, then you might want to think of some other way of putting it.
Barrie England
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'Cornflakes, and bacon and eggs' would almost always be read the obvious way because bacon and eggs is such a common collocation. 'Jill and I ordered fish, and chips and peas' probably needs a 'respectively'. You may be forced into 'The four lads ordered fish and chips; fish, chips and peas; fish, chips, peas and gravy; and fish and peas' if you ever write up your diary in a restaurant. – Edwin Ashworth Oct 15 '13 at 07:58
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Thanks a lot. I have another question related to punctuations. Please tell me whether the following sentences are correct or not. 01) Innodata is a company that provides BPO and KPO services. 02) Innodata is a company providing BPO and KPO services. 03) Innodata is a company, providing BPO and KPO services. – Nimal Nonis Oct 15 '13 at 10:51
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2Any new question should be created as a NEW question - not within an existing question. BUT a question of the nature "Is this correct?" is off-topic on this site because it is deemed to be merely 'proofreading'. If you can explain why you think a sentence may be wrong or which particular aspect you are having a problem with, then the question my be acceptable. However, you may find [ell.se] more suitable for your basic questions. – TrevorD Oct 15 '13 at 11:24