The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. For example: Please bring me a pencil, eraser, and notebook. The Oxford comma comes right after eraser.
What does an Oxford comma look like?
The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things. For example, in “the flag was red, white, and blue”, the Oxford comma would be the one appearing before “and”. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it’s necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.
What’s the difference between an Oxford comma and a regular comma?
What is an Oxford comma? To give the Oxford comma its technical definition, it is a comma used before the final conjunction in a list of three or more items. When you’re writing a list, you naturally include commas to separate each item, but an Oxford comma is when you also put a comma before the “and [Final Item]”.
Does everyone use the Oxford comma?
The short answer: No. Many writers, including journalists, live by the Associated Press stylebook. AP style does not use Oxford commas. However, Chicago style does require Oxford commas.
How do you identify 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.
Do legal documents use the Oxford comma?
Lawyers should use the Oxford comma to help avoid ambiguity. Three ambiguities may arise without this comma: Whether the two final items in a list are one combined element or separate.
Why are people against Oxford comma?
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.
Does Standard American English use the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma did not actually originate at Oxford University in England. One can trace its origin in English guides from the early 20th century. The Oxford comma is “correct” in American Standard English but does not exist in other languages, nor is it mandatory in British or International English.
Do Americans use Oxford commas?
The Serial/Oxford Comma
Most American English style guides recommend using this comma as standard: I believe in good spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Is Oxford comma necessary in British English?
British and American English both use the Oxford comma like this, but they differ on when it is used: Typically, in British English, we only use an Oxford comma when a list would be unclear without one, such as in the example sentence above. In American English, it is often standard to use an Oxford comma in lists.
Is the Oxford comma still a thing?
It is more of a stylistic choice rather than following a universal rule of grammar, such as the rule that a noun and verb are required to make a complete sentence. Some style guides don’t require the use of the Oxford Comma, but there are exceptions. AP Style writing requires the use of the Oxford Comma.
Which style uses Oxford comma?
Style guides that encourage the use of the Oxford comma: Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, the MLA Style Manual, The Chicago Manual of Style, APA style, and the U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual all adopt the Oxford comma in their house style.
Do I need a comma in this sentence?
Use a comma when the first word of the sentence is freestanding “yes” or “no.” Use a comma when directly addressing someone or something in a sentence. Use a comma between two adjectives that modify the same noun. Use a comma to offset negation in a sentence.
What are the 4 types of commas?
There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas.
How do I check if a string contains a comma?
For verifying the string contains a number with a comma, you can use: match() method. test() method.
What are the 12 rules for commas?
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- Use a comma to separate items in a list (but beware of the serial comma).
- Use a comma to join independent clauses.
- Use a comma to join a dependent clause and an independent clause.
- Use a comma following an introductory word group.
- Use a comma to interrupt a sentence or to provide additional information.
Can you have a comma in your legal name?
While the legal name you select, and your choice to use a comma and even to use a period may vary, certain punctuation is more commonly used. Here are a few often seen and often used designations: L.L.C., LLC, Inc., Corp., Ltd.
Why are there no commas in legal documents?
Punctuation was traditionally omitted in legal documents and this practise is continued by many Will and Trust drafters. Drafters prefer instead to use underlining or spacing to avoid the ordinary use of commas. The traditional exclusion rests on a precedent both ancient and authoritative.
Do law firms have commas in between names?
” In the 20th century, most law firm names were designed to emphasize the individuality of the lead partners, hence the commas separating their names,” he wrote in an email. “The ampersand was a form of supposed ‘elegance’ used by many law firms, although I believe Hale and Dorr always used ‘and,'” he continued.
Who got rid of the Oxford comma?
(3) Perishable foods. So now we get to replace Oxford comma pedantry with semicolon pedantry. The change, sponsored by Senator Andre Cushing, was among dozens of legislative tweaks signed by the governor in June.
Is the Oxford comma pretentious?
Despite its name, the Oxford comma is less likely to be used by Brits. There is a strong argument for taking the time to craft a sentence that is clear without extra punctuation. Some believe that the Oxford comma is a pretentious add-on used to make grammar nerds feel superior.