Table of Contents
What do you think of the Oxford comma?
The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. For example: Please bring me a pencil, eraser, and notebook. Use of the Oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others don’t.
Is Oxford comma good?
The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it’s necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences. Of course, there are detractors as well, writers who vehemently oppose the use of the Oxford comma, seeing it as superfluous.
Is the Oxford comma bad?
While the Oxford comma is technically grammatically correct, it is most often unnecessary and pointless. Thus, writers and editors should eliminate the comma unless it is absolutely essential for comprehension. Even with an Oxford comma, the sentence could be misconstrued without careful reading.
Why is it called the Oxford comma?
It’s known as the Oxford comma because it was traditionally used by printers, readers, and editors at Oxford University Press. Not all writers and publishers use it, but it can clarify the meaning of a sentence when the items in a list are not single words: The Oxford comma is also known as the serial comma.
What does an Oxford comma separate?
Also known as a serial comma, the Oxford comma falls before the word ‘and’ in a list of three or more. This creates a slight pause before the last item in the list, making it clear that each part of the list (in this case ‘my dogs,’ ‘Steven,’ and ‘Mary’) is a separate item.
When should I use a comma?
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)
- Use a comma to separate independent clauses.
- Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase.
- Use a comma between all items in a series.
- Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses.
- Use a comma to set off appositives.
- Use a comma to indicate direct address.
- Use commas to set off direct quotations.
Why do people hate Oxford commas?
Why don’t they use it? Many opponents of the Oxford comma claim that it makes a piece of writing sound more pretentious and stuffy, and that it can make things seem cluttered and redundant. Many magazine publishers renounce its use as well, because sentences loaded with commas take up valuable page space.
Why do people love the Oxford comma?
Proponents say it provides clarity, and critics say it provides redundancy. It goes by “serial” and “Oxford,” for the Oxford University Press style guide, which advocates for the serial comma (even though it’s generally more common in American English usage than British English).
What is the significance of an Oxford?
The Oxford comma is a comma that falls before the word ‘and’ in a list of three items or more. The Oxford comma should only be used in lists of three items or more (otherwise, it may give the reader the impression that a new independent clause is starting).
What countries use the Oxford comma?
“In British practice there’s an Oxford/Cambridge divide … In Canada and Australia the serial comma is recommended only to prevent ambiguity or misreading.” “The so-called ‘Oxford comma’ is an optional comma that follows the penultimate item in a list of three or more items and precedes the word ‘and’ …