Serial comma12/11/2023 Using the example from the last section, the sentence could easily be rewritten to clarify its meaning. Over the years, the Oxford or serial comma has had more than its fair share of detractors, many fighting fiercely against its use.Īlthough some grammarians believe that it can provide much-needed clarity in a written list, others argue that it’s better to just restructure the sentence. If you’re your own boss, then the ultimate comma decision rests entirely with you.Īlthough some people wonder if Oxford commas are grammatically correct, the answer isn’t black and white. On the other hand, The Chicago Manual of Style advocates for always using a serial comma. For example, AP Stylebook doesn’t use the Oxford comma unless it’s absolutely essential to preserve a sentence’s meaning. If you’re writing for a company or organization, the using a serial comma likely depends on the style guide you’re following. Some might say that Oxford commas are grammatically optional. Whether or not to include a serial comma is more of a stylistic choice. Not all grammarians are a fan of the controversial oxford comma. The company argued it shouldn’t pay these drivers overtime, but employees said a missing comma made guidelines confusing. He’s just inviting them to join him and his roommates for lunch.ĭrivers for Oakhurst Dairy won a legal battle against the company in 2017 due to Oxford comma omission. We now understand that Peter isn’t rooming with the king of horror and the bearer of many scars. In this second example, there’s no confusion. Peter went to lunch with his roommates, Stephen King, and a world-famous cat trainer. By using a serial comma in lists, you can potentially avoid misreadings and misunderstandings. It might seem hard to believe, but the placement of a simple comma can alter the meaning of a sentence. The AP Style guide doesn’t require the Oxford comma’s use, as opposed to the Chicago Manual Style, that encourages the use of the said punctuation. Thankfully, there are some basic rules to help you understand when to use a comma. Commas can also be used when expressing large numbers, breaking them into three-digit blocks, so they’re easier to read.Īlthough a comma can add structure and clarity to a sentence, it’s one of the most misused and misunderstood forms of punctuation. When writing out dates in month-day-year format, commas are typically used to set off the date. However, unlike the regular comma that holds grammatical significance, the use of an Oxford or serial comma is a stylistic choice. Technically, the Oxford comma is no different since it’s still a comma. Aside from letting your readers know when to pause and take a breath, commas also give order to the sequential elements of your sentence. For instance, when setting off words, phrases, or clauses that require a slight pause. What is the Difference Between an Oxford Comma and a Regular Comma?Ī comma is a mark of punctuation that writers use to indicate divisions in sentences. Now, before we explore this controversial comma further, let’s first understand what a comma truly is. The AP Style guide - the one followed by most newspapers - doesn’t require the use of an Oxford comma. Meaning, you can use it depending on the style guide that you’re following. That’s because it’s use is stylistic and not grammatical. Technically, using an Oxford comma is optional in American English. In the example above, the terminal comma is the comma that follows dry vermouth which is the comma before the conjunction and. The recipe called for some unusual ingredients, such as squid ink pasta, dry vermouth, and tomato purée.
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