The Oxford Comma
April 5th, 2009 | 4 Comments
You know the comma before the “and” or the “or” in a list? Like this:
A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y.
That comma after “U” — did you know that has a name? It’s a “serial comma” or an “Oxford comma.” Some people don’t use it, like this:
I know Tom, Dick and Harry.
I use it, and get annoyed when others don’t. But there’s apparently little agreement on it.
There is no global consensus among writers or editors on the use of the serial comma.[4] Most authorities on American English recommend its use, but it is not so frequently used in British English [...]
The Wikipedia page has lots of arguments for and against its use.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:53 am (#)
If you think about it syntactically, you are doubling up on your indicators of a sequence with a comma and the word “and” right on top of each other. Secondly, just using the word “and” is a good way to identify the end of the sequence.
I was always told in school that it was correct either way, but after about 11th grade I stopped using the “oxford comma”. I never knew it had a name.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:35 am (#)
I learned the term from Eats, Shoots and Leaves, and since it’s a British book, it was discouraged (though it did make allowances for the American way).
When I write copy, I try to go without it unless it causes confusion. This is done for two reasons: first, it’s easier to proof, since I know every piece that leaves our office will be Oxford Comma-less; second, I find it to be more aesthetically pleasing. It makes your sentence look a lot cleaner.
If you want to use it, though, I won’t judge you. Very much.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:38 am (#)
Because secretly you know I’m right.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:43 am (#)
This brings to mind a few questions.
1. Why is it both serial and Oxford?
2. Is it really discussed that often that is needs two separate names?
3. How did you learn this?
Eric