According to the Oxford Dictionary, “The ‘Oxford comma’ is an optional comma before the word ‘and’ at the end of a list: We sell books, videos, and magazines. It’s known as the Oxford comma because it was traditionally used by printers, readers, and editors at Oxford University Press.
Why is Oxford comma not used in journalism?
The Associated Press Stylebook, the grammar stylebook commonly used by journalists, says not to use the comma UNLESS omitting it can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. So everytime you write a series, you have to decide whether or not you are able to omit the comma.
Do newspapers use Oxford comma?
Newspapers tend to forgo the Oxford comma (including the Associated Press, whose style guidelines are followed by most American newspapers), but The Inquirer abides by it (much to the chagrin of its resident grammar columnist).
When should an Oxford comma be used?
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.
Is the Oxford comma unprofessional?
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.
Does The New Yorker use the Oxford comma?
The Times, like most newspapers, does without the serial comma. At The New Yorker, it is a copy editor’s duty to deploy the serial comma, along with lots of other lip-smacking bits of punctuation, as a bulwark against barbarianism.
What is the journalism rule for using commas?
When two independent clauses are joined to make a compound sentence, a comma is needed just before the conjunction. Most often, compound sentences use one of seven coordinating conjunctions, also known as FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Is Oxford comma American or British?
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.
What style of writing uses the 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.
Is the Oxford comma correct UK?
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.
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]”.
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.
Does Harvard use Oxford comma?
The serial comma, also known as the Oxford comma or the Harvard comma (because the Oxford and Harvard University Press style guides require it), is the final comma before the coordinating conjunction “and” in a list of three or more items.
Does the SAT prefer the Oxford comma?
The comma between the last two items is sometimes called the serial or Oxford comma. Although some style guides make it optional, most require it. On the SAT, the Oxford comma is required.
Does Chicago style use Oxford comma?
Oxford style is usually associated with the “Oxford comma”—the comma before the conjunction in a series of three or more (like the one before “and” in “apples, oranges, and pears”). But this comma has also always been Chicago style.
Does Chicago style have Oxford comma?
Serial Commas
Chicago has a few rules about commas that are easy to overlook. The most important is that Chicago “strongly recommends” using a serial (or Oxford) comma for lists of three or more items.
What is the punctuation for a magazine?
italics
Small works (short stories, essays, magazine and newspaper articles, etc.) are indicated with the use of quotation marks. Larger works, such as books or movies, are indicated either through italics (in typing) or underlining (handwriting).
What are the 5 rules of journalism?
- Truth and Accuracy. “Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’ but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism.
- Independence.
- Fairness and Impartiality.
- Humanity.
- Accountability.
What is the 40 40 20 rule journalism?
Over a century of conventional wisdom tells us the success of any direct-response advertising effort depends: 40% on the “List” 40% on the “Offer” 20% on the “Creative”
Is British English considered proper English?
British English is ‘correct’ where it is spoken, and American or Australian English is correct in those areas of the world. While it might not seem clean and neat to have so many ‘correct’ versions of a language, that’s just the way it is. Of course, all of these versions of English are perfectly interchangeable.
Does London England need a comma?
Commas with Names of Places
A comma should be used between the name of a city and state/nation. Let’s look at the following examples: They will be traveling to a conference in Denver, Colorado. We want to start construction in London, England.