Question #N347
In the following sentence, the convention being tested is the use of commas to separate items in a series. The three most important ingredients in a successful recipe are good ingredients, careful preparation, and a dash of creativity. Which choice correctly uses commas in a series to separate these three items?
Which choice correctly completes the sentence?
A. The three most important ingredients in a successful recipe are good ingredients, careful preparation, and a dash of creativity.
B. The three most important ingredients in a successful recipe are good ingredients, careful preparation and a dash of creativity.
C. The three most important ingredients in a successful recipe are good ingredients, careful preparation, and, a dash of creativity.
D. The three most important ingredients in a successful recipe are good ingredients, careful preparation; and a dash of creativity.
Correct Answer is: A
When a series contains three or more items, the items should be separated by commas. The final comma before the conjunction "and" is optional. Choice B uses a comma before the conjunction "and" when it shouldn't. Choice C uses an extra comma after the conjunction "and" when it shouldn't. Choice D uses a semicolon and a conjunction to separate the last two items, when it should be a comma and a conjunction.