WHAT IS AN INLINE LIST?

An inline list is a type of list that is displayed horizontally, typically within a paragraph or a
sentence, rather than vertically. Inline lists are often used to present short, related items or
options. They can help improve the readability of content by breaking up text and
highlighting key points. They consist of 3 or more components.

Examples of inline lists:

1. To make a sandwich, you will need bread, cheese, ham, and lettuce.

Explanation: In this sentence, the items (bread, cheese, ham, and lettuce) are presented in an
inline list, highlighted as essential components for making a sandwich.

2. The benefits of exercise include improved cardiovascular health, increased muscle

strength, enhanced flexibility, and better mood.
3. To create a successful marketing campaign, you should define your target audience,
set clear objectives, develop compelling content, and choose the right channels.
4. When planning a vacation, consider the destination's weather, local attractions, travel
costs, and accommodation options.

Example of an inline list containing "or":

1. You can choose to pay for the subscription monthly, quarterly, or annually.

In this sentence, monthly, quarterly, and annually are presented as options for payment
frequency using the word "or" to separate them.

Note: “You can choose to pay for the subscription monthly or quarterly or annually.” is
acceptable but uncommon usage.

Example of a list as a part of a sentence:

1. The experiment included measuring the temperature, pH level, and oxygen

concentration at various depths in the lake.

In this sentence, the list of measurements (temperature, pH level, and oxygen concentration)
is integrated into the sentence, describing what was included in the experiment.

2. A. Riboflavin is of relatively small size, negatively charged at physiological pH and

water-soluble. [British English (BrE) style]

B. Riboflavin is of relatively small size, negatively charged at physiological pH, and

water-soluble. [American English (AmE) style]

Inlist components are - A. relatively small size

B. negatively charged at physiological Ph

 C. water-soluble.

All the inlist components mentioned describe riboflavin.

a. Riboflavin is of relatively small size.

b. Riboflavin is negatively charged at physiological pH.

c. Riboflavin is water-soluble.

In the given example, “Riboflavin is’’ is the introductory statement which is a common
phrase for all 3 statements, as editors it becomes important for us to ensure that the
introductory statement and the remaining part of the sentence must be free of syntax errors.

Consider the very same example of riboflavin as an introductory word.

1. Riboflavin is negatively charged – no syntax errors.

2. Riboflavin is relatively small in size – has syntax errors. The correct statement here would
be riboflavin is relatively small sized.

3. Riboflavin is water-soluble – no syntax errors.

In statements 1 and 3, the sentences are free of syntax errors, while statement 2 has syntax
errors, and we need to either change riboflavin is or retain riboflavin is and change small in
size to small-sized.

INDEPENDENT LIST

An independent list unlike the previous example has no common introductory clause or no
common element involved but consists of 3 or more independent clauses.

Sulfur existed because of the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid, oxygen was mainly
released by the oxidation of aluminum, and the presence of carbon shows that carbon has
been successfully encapsulated on the outer surface of the nanoparticle.

While punctuating such statements, we use a serial comma.

What is a serial comma?

A serial comma, also known as an Oxford comma or a Harvard comma, is a comma placed
immediately before a conjunction (usually "and" or "or") in a list of three or more items.

For example, in the list "apples, oranges, and bananas," the serial comma is the comma before
"and."

The use of the serial comma is a matter of style and varies between different style guides and
regions.
AmE & BrE Preferences:

In general, American English (AmE) tends to prefer the use of the serial comma more and it
is mandatory to use it too, while British English (BrE) often omits it.

However, there can be variation within each dialect, and usage may also depend on the
specific style guide being followed.

For example, in American English:

AmE (AP style): I had eggs, toast, and orange juice for breakfast. Mandatory usage; keeping
in mind the context.

In British English:

BrE: I had eggs, toast and orange juice for breakfast. Serial commas can be used or can’t be
used based on the author’s preference. However, some style guides in British English, such as
The Oxford Style Manual, do recommend the use of the serial comma to avoid ambiguity.
Overall consistency is to be maintained.

Example: Dry-eyed disease was classified as aqueous deficient, evaporative, mixed, and
recorded for all the patients.

LIST IN LIST

A list within a list, also known as a nested list, is a list that is contained inside another list.
This nesting can occur at multiple levels, creating a hierarchical structure of lists. Each level
of the nested list is indented to visually indicate its relationship to the containing list.

For example:

1. Main item

Subitem 1

Sub-subitem A

Sub-subitem B

Subitem 2

Another main item

Subitem 3

Sub-subitem C

Sub-subitem D

Subitem 4
In this example, the main items (1 and 2) are listed at the top level, with each main item
containing a sub list of subitems. The subitems may themselves contain further sub lists,
creating a nested structure.

Top of Form

Here's a simple example of a list within a list:

Fruits

Apples

Granny Smith

Fuji

Gala

Oranges

Navel

Blood orange

Bananas

Cavendish

Plantain

In this example, the main list is "Fruits," and it contains sublists for different types of fruits
(apples, oranges, bananas), each with further nested sublists specifying different varieties of
those fruits.

The laboratory procedure involved several steps: preparing the samples, which included
cleaning and drying; testing samples for conductivity, density, and pH levels; and analyzing
the data using statistical method.

Two hours postoperatively, the patient demonstrated a number of abnormal clinical findings,
which included decreased sensation in distribution of the radial, ulnar and median nerves,
motor deficits in elbow extension, wrist extension, wrist flexion and hand function and pain
at surgical site as well as in the shoulder, upper arm, and forearm.

After postoperatively, we use a comma as it is a sentence adverb, followed by “the patient

demonstrated a number of abnormal clinical findings”, which is the common clause;
therefore, we use a comma after it.

1st list – which included decreased sensation in distribution of

Sublist – radial, ulnar and median nerves,

2nd list – motor deficit in elbow extension,

Sublist – wrist extention, wrist flexion, and hand function

3rd list – and pain at the surgical site as well as in

Sublist – the shoulder, upper arm, and forearm

Separating primary lists using semicolon and sublists using commas and including serial
commas in both primary list and sublist.

Primary List: Ingredients for a recipe

Secondary List: Quantity of each ingredient
Example: "Ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, butter; Quantity: 2 cups, 1 cup, 3, 4 tablespoons"

Primary List: Experimental procedures

Secondary List: Detailed steps for each procedure
Example: "Procedures: mixing, heating, cooling; Steps: combine ingredients, bake at 350°F,
let cool for 10 minutes"

Primary List: Parts of a scientific instrument

Secondary List: Functions of each part
Example: "Parts: lens, body, button; Functions: focus light, enclose components, control
operation"

In these examples, the primary list is separated from the secondary list by a semicolon, and
items within each list are separated by commas. This structure helps organize information
clearly, especially in technical or scientific writing.

Rules to keep in mind while punctuating quoted texts

Punctuating quoted texts depends on the context and style guide you're following. Here are
some general rules for punctuating quoted texts in English:

Quotation marks: Use double quotation marks (" ") to indicate direct speech or a quotation
from another source. For quotations within quotations, use single quotation marks (' ').

Commas and periods: In American English, commas and periods are placed inside the
closing quotation mark. In British English, they are placed outside unless they are part of the
quoted material.

Example (American English): She said, "I'll be there."

Example (British English): She said, "I'll be there".

Question marks and exclamation points: Place question marks and exclamation points
inside the closing quotation mark if they are part of the quoted material. Otherwise, place
them outside.

Example (part of the quote): She asked, "Where are you going?"

Example (not part of the quote): Did she say, "I'll be there"?

Colons and semicolons: Place colons and semicolons outside the closing quotation mark.

Example: He described his experience as "life-changing"; it had a profound impact on him.

Quoting multiple paragraphs: If you're quoting multiple paragraphs, start each paragraph
with an opening quotation mark but only end the final paragraph with a closing quotation
mark.

WHAT IS A SERIAL COLON ?

A serial colon is a colon used to introduce a series or list of items. It's often used when the
items themselves contain internal punctuation or when the list is complex.

Here's an example: The experimental setup consisted of: a microscope, to observe the cells; a
spectrophotometer, to measure absorbance; and a computer, to record data."

In this statement, the serial colon is used to introduce the list of components in the
experimental setup. Each item in the list is separated by a semicolon because they are
complex items containing internal punctuation.

"The ingredients for the cake are as follows: flour, sifted; sugar, granulated; eggs, beaten; and
butter, melted."

In this example, the serial colon introduces the list of ingredients, and semicolons are used to
separate the items because the items themselves contain commas.

WHAT IS A COLON AND ITS USES?

In scientific writing, a colon (:) is used for several purposes:

To introduce a list or series: A colon can be used to introduce a list of items, such as
equipment, materials, or steps in a procedure. For example:

"The experiment required the following materials: test tubes, beakers, and a thermometer."

To introduce an explanation or elaboration: A colon can also be used to introduce an

explanation or elaboration of a previous statement. For example:
"The results were as follows: the control group showed no significant change, while the
experimental group exhibited a 20% increase in growth."

To introduce a direct quotation: A colon can be used to introduce a direct quotation,

especially in formal writing. For example:

According to Smith (2010): "The data suggest a correlation between temperature and enzyme
activity."

In time and ratio expressions: Colons are used in time expressions (e.g., 3:30 p.m.) and ratio
expressions (e.g., 1:2).

In scientific writing, colons are used to add clarity and structure to the text, helping to
organize information and make complex ideas more understandable.