Uni-edit English Writing Tip: Semi-colons for monster lists

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Your research reports often include long lists of complex items.
Sometimes using only commas is insufficient to offset the items. Here is
an example:

Incorrect: We had four professors on our committee: Peter Wursthorn,
Professor of Mathematics, Ronald Pepin, Professor of English, Cynthia
Greenblatt, Professor of Education, and Nada Light, Professor of
Nursing.

As each item already includes a comma, separate the items using
semi-colons. You can think of semi-colons as big commas in this
situation.

Correct: We had four professors on our committee: Peter Wursthorn,
Professor of Mathematics; Ronald Pepin, Professor of English; Cynthia
Greenblatt, Professor of Education; and Nada Light, Professor of
Nursing.

Here is another example:

Incorrect: The participants in the first group scored 70 points, the
second, 60, and the third, 40. Correct: The participants in the first
group scored 70 points; the second, 60; and the third, 40.

END OF TIP