In a sentence with a list of three or more items, the Oxford comma is the comma you place right before the coordinating conjunction and last item in the list. It is also known as a serial comma, a series comma, or a Harvard comma.
What is your opinion on the Oxford comma?
While some writing style guides do not use the Oxford comma, supporters say it’s necessary to avoid potential ambiguity. And if there’s one thing writers can agree on, it’s the importance of clarity. In some cases, an extra comma matters.
Where should the Oxford comma be placed?
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 is an Oxford comma example?
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 is Oxford comma and how do you use it?
What is the Oxford comma? In a list of three or more items, the last comma is called the Oxford comma (or the serial comma). For example, in He bought eggs, milk, and bread, there’s a comma between each item listed. The comma before and is the Oxford comma.
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.
Why do people care so much about the Oxford comma?
Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma is the one that goes before “and” (or “or”) in a list of three or more things: “The American flag is red, white, and blue.” Fans of the Oxford comma think it prevents ambiguity.
Where should I place my comma?
Comma Rules
- Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
- Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
Is my comma placement correct?
Comma Check
- Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses.
- Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
- Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.
- Use commas to separate items in a series.
- Use a comma after introductory adverbs.
Where is the best place to put a comma in a sentence?
Rule: Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. A comma tells readers that the introductory clause or phrase has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to begin. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord.
What is an example of a comma sentence?
Example: I went to the store to buy milk, eggs, and bread. or I went to the store to buy milk, eggs and bread. Either way is acceptable if meaning is clear, but be consistent with the pattern you choose.
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.
How do you list three things in a sentence?
Use commas after each item in a list of three or more items. Nurses monitor a patient’s vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse. Use semi-colons after each item in a list if one or more items already includes a comma.
What is the job of a comma?
The comma functions as a tool to indicate to readers a certain separation of words, phrases, or ideas in order to prevent misreading the writer’s intended meaning. When a sentence is spoken aloud, a comma often represents a pause, which in verbal conversation functions to clarify meaning.
How do you activate the Oxford comma?
How do I turn on Microsoft’s Oxford (serial) comma checker?
- Open Word and click “File”.
- Click “Options”.
- Click “Proofing”.
- Next to Grammar and Refinements, click “Settings”.
- Under “Punctuation Conventions” tick the box for Oxford Comma.
What’s wrong with Oxford commas?
While the serial comma does help clarify lists, it can interfere with good sentence composition and flow. Many journalists are against it for this reason. Some even argue that it makes for lazy writing or clutters the piece with unnecessary punctuation.
Who still uses the Oxford comma?
AP Style writing requires the use of the Oxford Comma. Someone who would typically write in AP style is a newspaper reporter. The Oxford Comma is the final comma in a list of three or more things in a sentence, which goes before the “and” or “or” in a sentence.
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.
Can I use because after a coma?
Because is a subordinating conjunction, which means that it connects a subordinate clause to an independent clause; good style dictates that there should be no comma between these two clauses. An exception can and should be made when the lack of a comma would cause ambiguity.
What is it called when a comma is in the wrong place?
A comma splice is a particular kind of comma mistake that happens when you use a comma to join two independent clauses. Here’s an example: Koala bears are not actually bears, they are marsupials.
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.