Comments on: Here’s What You Don’t Know About The Oxford Comma

By: Destiny

Destiny — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:00:55 +0000

I agree with Beau. I’m adding a few examples for those who are undecided:

“This book is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand and God”
(Without the comma before “and,” you get a rather intriguing set of parents.)

Another great example:
“…Peter Ustinov retraces a journey made by Mark Twain a century ago. The highlights of his global tour include encounters with Nelson Mandela, an 800-year-old demigod and a dildo collector.”
(This example supports the use of the Oxford comma because it keeps Mandela from being a dildo collector.)

By: the juju eye

the juju eye — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:08:19 +0000

Oxford commas are a pox. They slow writing down and can cause confusion. Commas, when deployed correctly, are useful to help the reader understand meaning. Oxford commas are extraneous. It is in our style guide where I work and I have to remind myself to insert the needless Oxford comma every time it is called for — even though it adds no meaning.

By: Mike Rogers

Mike Rogers — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 07:48:55 +0000

I was surprised to see this as an Oxford comma. I was taught to write without it. From what I have been told, this was a habit of American writing and missed out in Britain. Some British writing which I had thought had been for the Americans or had been edited by an American may just be the writer’s own preference, habit or what s/he had been instructed to do.

Normally, I leave it out unless there is an ambiguity that use of such a punctuation mark will avoid.

By: Stephen Kairys

Stephen Kairys — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 01:35:28 +0000

I use it I believe it’s clearer to the reader. I think there’s nothing to lose by using it.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 22:30:10 +0000

I think that the classic example of, “let us eat grandma” versus “let us eat, grandma” shows the importance of the comma. Humor aside, it helps to clarify and, as stated in previous comments, mimicks natural speech patterns in the English language.

By: Kathleen Samuelson

Kathleen Samuelson — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 19:17:36 +0000

Frankly, I see no good reason not to use it.

By: Christopher J. Murano

Christopher J. Murano — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:52:14 +0000

I believe it is important to use the comma. It clarifies the meaning of a sentence and its omission, in my humble opinion, displays a lack of education. I wonder if the next item to be questioned will be the dash? If anyone doubts its importance, please tell me what I am talking about when I say thirty year old students. The dash, and its positioning, completely changes the meaning of the phrase.

By: Cecelia Lester

Cecelia Lester — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:27:57 +0000

In reply to Martin A. David. Yes, I use the Oxford comma. I like the separation of items in a series. Those in a writing group I attended did not always care for it, however, I believe they were wrong.

By: Martin A. David

Martin A. David — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:22:24 +0000

In reply to Beau Duque. I agree with Beau. I used to be rather inconsistent with the issue, but an editor of mine (who is a Brit) insisted on it and I began to see the sense of it. Now it is a habit.

By: Beau Duque

Beau Duque — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 17:24:38 +0000

Absolutely. There are plenty of examples of how eliminating the Oxford comma causes confusion. The serial comma also mimics natural speech. When speaking, I don’t say, “I bought bananas, bread and coffee.” An extra comma takes a nanosecond to type and, in my opinion, doesn’t impede reading speed and comprehension but clarifies it. It creates a uniform look in a list of items.

I will say that I’m surprised that people get so upset over the issue. If I encounter copy that doesn’t include serial commas, I just shrug smugly. ;) Seriously, I have a strong opinion but, at the same time, don’t think it’s a big deal.

By: Gary C

Gary C — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 15:08:06 +0000

I avoid it because I am writing for others who may not approve. Better to be safe…

By: Ryan James

Ryan James — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:51:46 +0000

I do and I taught its use in academic writing classes.