Sometimes it’s called a ‘serial comma’, and less frequently a ‘Harvard comma’ (from Harvard University Press). Whatever it’s called, this pesky piece of punctuation has been the subject of passionate argument between its advocates and its detractors for decades.
What is the alternative to the Oxford comma?
The Oxford Comma is Often a Crutch for Lazy Writing
The alternative is simply to write unambiguous lists. If the Oxford comma is necessary to make a list clear, either rewrite the list or break out the elements into their own independent clauses or sentences.
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.
Does APA Style use Oxford comma?
APA uses the serial (or Oxford) comma in lists of three or more items (i.e., Groucho, Harpo, and Zeppo).
What is the last optional comma in a list called?
That last comma—the one before the “and” (or “or”) that precedes the last item in a list—is known as the “Oxford” or “serial” comma. Ironically, perhaps, the Oxford comma is less frequently used in British English than American, and it is technically optional, provided you’re consistent within a given document.
What is a Chicago comma?
The most important is that Chicago “strongly recommends” using a serial (or Oxford) comma for lists of three or more items. This means adding a comma before the final conjunction to prevent ambiguity: No Serial Comma: She invited her parents, the headteacher and the janitor.
Why don t lawyers use the Oxford comma?
Use of the Oxford comma is mostly a matter of preference and varies by region and profession. 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.
What are the 2 commas called?
Interrupters. Two commas can be used to set off additional information that appears within the sentence but is separate from the primary subject and verb of the sentence. Sometimes called a “parenthetical expression” or an “aside,” this information interrupts the main thought to add an additional comment.
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]”.
What are these punctuation marks called?
What are the 14 Punctuation Marks in English? There are 14 punctuation marks that are used in the English language. They are: the period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, brackets, braces, parentheses, apostrophe, quotation mark, and ellipsis.
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.
Why do journalists not use the Oxford comma?
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.
Is it Oxford comma or Harvard comma?
An Oxford comma is sometimes called a series comma, Harvard comma, or final comma in American English and is a comma placed before the last item in a list. It’s the last comma in a series of commas before the end of a list, and its use is highly contentious among writers and editorial publications.
Why is the Oxford comma so controversial?
“This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or Oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of Oxford University Press.” The important consideration is whether or not using an Oxford comma will remove ambiguity from a list, or add ambiguity. Language should make communication easier.
What is a full stop and comma called?
Full stops and commas are punctuation marks. A full stop ends a sentence. A comma shows a pause, breaks up a list or separates part of a sentence.
Does the New York Times use the Oxford comma?
It is much more widespread in the United States, although American news organizations tend to leave the second comma out (that includes The New York Times, whose style guide advises that it should not be used unless a sentence is otherwise confusing without it).
What is the Yale comma?
In compound sentences. A comma is used before “and” when it separates two independent clauses (in the structure called a compound sentence): Yale had grown considerably by 1900, and the Law School had become known in its own right.
Why is it called Chicago style?
What now is known as The Chicago Manual of Style was first published in 1906 under the title Manual of Style: Being a compilation of the typographical rules in force at the University of Chicago Press, to which are appended specimens of type in use.
What is Chicago style format?
To write a paper in Chicago style, you follow the formatting guidelines laid out by the Chicago Manual of Style. This means you include 1-inch margins on all sides, double space, use justified left text, and indent new paragraphs. Chicago style also recommends the use of Time New Roman 12 pt. font.
Is the Oxford comma pretentious?
The blue-blood punctuation mark, named after the Oxford University Press, acts as a social signifier, a sieve for the bookish and studious (and, perhaps, pretentious). It suggests personality traits that extend far beyond punctuation preferences. There are other ways of doing this in your Tinder profile, of course.
How much does an Oxford lawyer earn?
Average £76,109 per year.