The proper definition of the Oxford comma is “a comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before and or or.” For example: “Today I went to lunch with my roommates, Tom, and Molly.”
Is it correct to use an Oxford comma?
An Oxford, or serial, comma is the last comma in a list; it goes before the word and. Technically, its grammatically optional in American English.
Whats an Oxford?
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a low shoe laced or tied over the instep. 2 : a soft durable cotton or synthetic fabric made in plain or basket weaves. — called also oxford cloth.
What is Oxford punctuation?
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. Use of the Oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others dont.
Is the Oxford comma used in British English?
Also known as a serial comma, the punctuation mark derives its common name from its traditional usage at Oxford University Press (OUP). All the same, some detractors argue that the Oxford comma is an Americanism, with no place in British English.
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. There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity.
Why the Oxford comma is wrong?
Regardless of the order, a proper noun and a common noun would be next to each other in a list, and an Oxford comma would allow readers to mistake one as a clarification of the previous noun. Another reason to skip the Oxford comma is to save time, both for the writer and reader.
Why is Oxford so famous?
The most obvious reason for Oxfords fame is the university. Its the second oldest in the world (allegedly), educator of 28 Nobel Prize winners, and often cited as the best university on the planet. And after Cambridge, no other universities were founded in England until 1832.
Why was the Oxford comma removed?
The University of Oxford styleguide has decided that as a general rule use of the serial comma should be avoided. The serial comma, dubbed the Oxford comma because of its use by writers and editors based at the University of Oxford, had been waning in popularity. For example, most journalists in Canada and the U.S.
Why the Oxford comma is necessary?
The Oxford comma is the final comma before the conjunction (e.g., and, or) in a series. Its important to include Oxford commas in your writing because, in English, we also use what are called “commas of direct address” to separate what were saying from the person/object were addressing.
What is an Oxford comma UK?
Their definition of the Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma) is “a comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before and or or.” For example: “Today I had lunch with my flatmates, James, and Molly.” Heres another example of appropriate use of the Oxford comma.
Why is the Oxford comma important?
The Oxford comma is the final comma before the conjunction (e.g., and, or) in a series. Its important to include Oxford commas in your writing because, in English, we also use what are called “commas of direct address” to separate what were saying from the person/object were addressing.
Why don t journalists use the Oxford comma?
Newspapers, in general, do not use the serial comma. The Associated Press Stylebook says to use a serial comma only when leaving it out would cause confusion. Many book publishers use it, including Oxford University Press, which is why its also called the Oxford comma.
What is an Oxford comma example?
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 its necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.
How prestigious is Oxford?
Oxford University has been voted the UKs most prestigious in a recent survey by the polling organisation YouGov. In the poll, conducted using 1640 British adults on the 14th and 15th August, participants were asked “Which university do you consider to be the UKs most prestigious?”
Who decided to get rid of the Oxford comma?
Oxford Comma Dispute Is Settled as Maine Drivers Get $5 Million. Ending a case that electrified punctuation pedants, grammar goons and comma connoisseurs, Oakhurst Dairy settled an overtime dispute with its drivers that hinged entirely on the lack of an Oxford comma in state law.
Why is it called the Oxford?
Two rivers run through Oxford, the Cherwell and the Thames (Isis), and it is from this riverside situation that Oxford got its name in Saxon times, Oxenaforda or Ford of the Oxen.
Who uses the Oxford comma?
After all, the Oxford comma gets its name from Oxford University Press, where its readers, editors, and writers would commonly use it. Ross notes that Grammarlys platform is pro–Oxford comma because of the vocal preference many of their original users had for it.
What is the opposite of the Oxford comma?
Opinions among writers and editors differ on whether to use the serial comma, and usage also differs somewhat between regional varieties of English. British English allows constructions with or without this comma, while in American English it is common and sometimes even considered mandatory to use the comma.