Thursday, January 3, 2008

Punctuation with "all," "these" and "such" referring to items in a preceding list

The Rule: When "all," "these," "such", etc. immediately follow a list and refer to items in that list, they are preceded by a comma or, if the writer wishes to create a pause for effect, by a dash.

Sam Roberts, Gary Petko, Chris Kesler, Sonny Trotter -- all are inspiring examples of coaching excellence at West High School.

or

Sam Roberts, Gary Petko, Chris Kesler, Sonny Trotter, all are inspiring examples of coaching excellence at West High School.

(Both sentences are OK.)

Inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, dangerous steps -- these conditions must be corrected.

Inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, dangerous steps -- such conditions must be corrected.

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