What is the Oxford comma and when should you use it?

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.

Which publications use the Oxford comma?

Oxford University Press and the Chicago Manual of Style adhere to using the Oxford comma, as do many researchers, writers in academia, and a variety of other reputable publications.

What is wrong with the Oxford comma?

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 comma not used journalism?

Journalists typically do not use the Oxford comma, as it takes up more space. Those who favour the use of the Oxford comma believe it removes ambiguity in a sentence, as the meaning or interpretation of a sentence can differ considerably if an Oxford comma is used.

Who created the Oxford comma?

The Oxford comma has been attributed to Horace Hart, printer and controller of the Oxford University Press from 1893 to 1915, who wrote Hart’s Rules for Compositors and Readers in 1905 as a style guide for the employees working at the press.

Does NY Times use Oxford comma?

Reporters, editors and producers at The New York Times usually omit the comma, but Phil Corbett, who oversees language issues for the newsroom, wrote in a 2015 blog post that exceptions are sometimes made: But the comma is common in book and academic publishing.

What is the Oxford comma and when do I use it?

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.”

Does APA use Oxford comma?

APA style includes many basic grammatical rules. For example, APA style does use the Oxford comma, which some other citation styles (e.g., AP style) do not. Other examples include rules about what punctuation should be included inside a quotation and when to use what type of dash.

Is the Oxford comma “incorrect”?

Under current guidance any pupil writing ‘tall, dark, and handsome’ would have to be marked down as the Oxford comma is deemed incorrect.

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. Not all style guides agree on whether to use the Oxford comma.