Hi grammarians! Can someone please tell me the latest rule regarding the use of the last comma in a series? Some of my grammar books say that one must include it in formal writing, while not in informal writing such as journalism; others say that the last comma is needed only if misreading would occur without it, as in We elected our president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. I think your close. It should ready: We elected out president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. If you leave out the comma, secretary and treasurer, could be conceived as one person. Michael A. Burris Bedford, Massachusetts P.S. Can't quote the exact rule, but it seems to make sense.