[Forum] RE: Can the second em dash in a parenthetical/interruptor replace a serial comma?

You know, everything just clicked. The reason it all works is because the parenthetical is at the end of the second-to-last item in the list, allowing the conjunction (and) to link the items even if the parenthetical is removed. Overthinking is thing. But I had fun writing all that!

[Forum] RE: Parenthetical commas WITH coordinating conjunctions.

Just adding two cents more . . . If the words between the commas were indeed parenthetical, they would be superfluous. But on the contrary, they are essential. That alone indicates that the material shouldn't be treated like a parenthetical, because it isn't.

[Forum] RE: Commas

I'd go with #3. That's because "according to his friends" is parenthetical. A parenthetical phrase needs to be offset with commas -- one at the beginning and one at the end. See [url=http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/16/ch06/ch06_sec024.html]CMOS 6.24: Commas with parenthetical elements[/url].

[Forum] RE: Comma to set off parenthetical information

I call that a parenthetical, and yes, I would keep the commas.

[Forum] Possessive interjected by parenthetical date

Outside of recasting, can anyone suggest how best to handle a string of possessives interjected by a parenthetical date? Each possessive is styled with the apostrophe s coming after the parenthetical date: Dante Alighieri (d. 1321)’s [i]Divine Comedy[/i] (1321). This sits strangely for me. Thank

[Forum] RE: Parenthetical commas WITH coordinating conjunctions.

Even in two sentences, I want to put a comma after the initial 'But'. I still see it as parenthetical. However, this is clearly how it's done, certainly in the US anyway, so I shall just have to abide by the rule. Thank you very much, all of you, for your advice and input. It is greatly apprec

[Forum] RE: Oxford comma: ", and having ..."

What RGJ said. The commas in the first and last examples make the set-off phrases parenthetical, and the second comma in the second example isn't necessary unless the last phrase is supposed to be parenthetical. If all three examples are supposed to include a parenthetical phrase, the first and last

[Forum] RE: Parenthetical items in headlines and headings

I don't think there's any guidance in CMOS about this. If the parenthetical isn't really part of the heading, I'd keep it lowercase. Whatever you decide, just keep the style consistent. If your client has a preference, just roll with it.

[Forum] RE: Comma following em-dash?

Neither is correct. There should never be a comma after an em dash; the em dash takes the place of the comma. If you have a parenthetical set off by em dashes, you need the same punctuation to close the parenthetical. However, the whole sentence is a bit awkward. If you have to retain the current w

[Forum] RE: Commas around conjunctions and parenthetical phrases

In the original sentence you have a compound predicate (therefore no comma before the and) with a parenthetical. "She glared down at her street plan and, turning to walk on, stormed head-on into someone going in the opposite direction."