A serial comma (or Oxford comma) is an optional comma used before the last item in a list. For example, “bread, butter, and tax evasion” uses a serial comma, whereas “bread, butter and tax evasion” does not.
Do you use it? Why or why not?
I always use it. I don’t perceive any less of a pause between the last two items in a list than between any others, so it feels natural to put a comma there as well. Tbh, I’m so used to it that I usually have to do a double-take when it’s not there (since it looks like a grammar error to me at first).
They’re sometimes necessary for disambiguation. I use them all the time because it’s easier than remembering to use them when they’re necessary.
Yeah exact same opinion. I’ve trained myself to use them by default. Not having one when necessary is a lot worse than having them where it’s not absolutely needed. Just totally cuts out any chance of ambiguity.
Always use it.
If I’m listing this, that, and the other, the commas are just a horizontal series of bullet points, so there should be a comma for each item in the list.
Nobody would go:
- This
- That
The other
Also a fan of the serial comma, but I don’t think a bulleted list works for your example:
This
• That
• The other
Why would you not bullet the first word in that bulleted list?
I think the point is more that without the serial comma, the last two items in the list aren’t separated like the others, which (imo) feels like omitting the last bullet point in a list.
EDIT: Fixed a typo.
That helps me understand what the other person was saying in response to my comment now, thanks!
Seeeeee…we all get confused without it!
I use it because it feels like otherwise you are lumping two things together. In your example it would be butter and tax.
Another example could be talking about people:
I’m having Jim, Frank, Ian and Susan over for dinner.
Without the comma I feel like that implies Ian and Susan are in some kind of relationship.
With food:
I had pickles, bacon, ham and cheese for lunch.
That seems to me like someone had a ham and cheese sandwich versus ham and cheese separately.
I always use it. Writing is about communication, so it’s your duty to make sure a reader understands how to interpret what you wrote. That said, when I speak to someone, I NEVER use the Oxford comma.
I’m not a native speaker, but I do prefer using it yeah. In my opinion it reads nicer and less ambiguous. In your example the “butter and tax evasion” otherwise kinda reads like it’s one thing. You need to finish reading the following words before you can be sure that it’s the “terminal and” and not some in-between “and”. But “, and” directly communicates that it’s the terminating “and”, making reading easier.
I want to be able to communicate both ideas:
https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/017/771/the-oxford-comma_52c855ed979ed_w1500.jpgThe latter isn’t even a proper use a comma, no? To introduce a list you should use a colon.
Without the Oxford Comma, it’s not a list but an appositive phrase. In that context, it’s correct usage.
I was always taught to never use it (UK) - but will use it where there might otherwise be the risk of ambiguity
I’m a technical writer (aircraft maintenance and flight operations manuals, mostly) and eliminating ambiguity is key to clear, effective communication.
Leaving out that comma takes a sentence with only one possible interpretation and gives it several options instead.
I was taught in school (UK in the '90s) that putting a comma in that spot is outright wrong. As an adult I realised it is much clearer and always use it.
Haha, this is gold. I’d like to think I fall more into the pedant category (except when something actually matters; then I lean towards moron).
I use it. It’s nice.
I use it, since I like it.
Inclusion is non negotiable.
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Eh, in casual situations like this, it depends on if the , registers or not. I’m not wasting attention to go back and add one.
But otherwise, as useful. It helps clarify the difference between ands. Some ands are used to connect two things in the entire list as a unit, so when that is a factor, it helps.
