The Oxford (or serial) comma is
the final comma in a list of things
. For example: … Unless you’re writing for a particular publication or drafting an essay for school, whether or not you use the Oxford comma is generally up to you. However, omitting it can sometimes cause some strange misunderstandings.
Why Oxford commas are bad?
The Oxford comma is
often superfluous and a crutch for bad writing
, yet it has many partisans who want to force it on everyone. … Furthermore, the example shows how using the Oxford comma encourages lazy writing. Relying on the Oxford comma for list-making may be clarifying, but it often interferes with good composition.
When the Oxford comma is necessary?
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
.
Do British people not use the Oxford comma?
Despite being named after a British University, the Oxford comma (the comma used before “and” in lists (e.g., I like wookies, ewoks, and droids)) is
not considered standard in UK English
because only one style guide (Oxford) recommends it.
Are Oxford commas grammatically correct?
An Oxford, or serial, comma is the last comma in a list; it goes before the word “and.” Technically,
it’s grammatically optional in American English
.
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.
What are () called in English?
They can also be used in mathematical expressions. For example, 2{1+[23-3]}=x.
Parentheses
( () ) are curved notations used to contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks. However, parentheses can be replaced by commas without changing the meaning in most cases.
What is the difference between an Oxford comma and a regular comma?
What is the Difference Between an Oxford Comma and a Regular Comma? … Technically,
the Oxford comma is no different since it’s still a comma
. However, unlike the regular comma that holds grammatical significance, the use of an Oxford or serial comma is a stylistic choice.
Does the New York Times use the 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
.
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’
.
Is the Oxford comma required in MLA?
MLA style uses
the serial comma
, also called the Oxford comma or Harvard comma. If you are writing a list of objects or adjectives, separate each object with a comma. You also use a comma before the conjunction in MLA style.
Is the Oxford comma British?
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
.
Where did the Oxford comma originate?
The word comma comes from the Greek word koptein, which means “to cut off.” 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.
Can you use a comma after and?
The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is
before the conjunction
. … The sentence above contains two independent clauses, so it requires a comma before and.
What does mean on TikTok?
There are other emojis that TikTok users gave new meanings to. … Not only does the brain emoji have a new meaning on TikTok, but when you see two hand emojis with the pointer finger pointing inward toward each other, it’s
a symbol for shyness
.
What are these () called?
These { } have a variety of names; they are called
braces
, curly brackets, or squiggly brackets.
