The "Oxford comma" explained

[bookowlie]

Hillary will reply that the Oxford comma has been deleted from all emails on her private server. I do love campagin season.

[JennClose12]

Uh, I remember learning about that in journalism. Before that though I sometimes used a comma before 'and' whole also at other times I didn't.

[megaleg709]

I think before an Oxford comma is used, the writer should speak the sentence out loud without it to see if it really and truly belongs there. I find that when I speak my written words out loud, sometimes grey areas such as this easily work themselves out.

[DATo]

Commas have always been a pain in the butt to me. The rules governing the use of commas are like pennies - the copper itself is worth more than the face value of the coin. When I write I am conscious of at least making an attempt to include proper punctuation, but often the mental energy required risks affecting the very quality of writing upon which I am attempting to concentrate.

To those who are perfectly, expertly, unmistakably proficient in being able to place commas in their proper place, may you live and prosper; as for me, I drop commas all over the place like grated cheese on spaghetti. I put them where I think they should go on the fly and then devil take the hindmost.

[Fran]

I think before an Oxford comma is used, the writer should speak the sentence out loud without it to see if it really and truly belongs there. I find that when I speak my written words out loud, sometimes grey areas such as this easily work themselves out.

I would agree & suggest that applies to all writing. IMO the criteria is, does it make sense when read aloud & is it possible to read the sentence or paragraph aloud without dropping dead from lack of ozygen.

[Stacy_Lynn]

I'm so glad I came across this post! The Oxford comma and its use before "and" has always been so confusing to me, as I've seen writers who use it and those who don't use it in simple sentences. I've researched the topic a number of times, but I have never quite discovered a straightforward answer to explain the rule. Your post explained what I needed to know perfectly! Thank you!

[aneet2_5]

I was always told at school that using and comma before a and was wrong so I've never done it so often.

[NOLABorne]

Oh wow, that makes a ton of sense. I've been using the comma since I was a kid. It was beaten into me by teachers I assume. Of course, that was a Louisiana school system, which likely explains a lot. In any case, this was a very helpful post, Moderntimes. I'll make sure to do things the right way henceforth. Does this count as being educated at Oxford?

[LivreAmour217]

You learn something new every day! I went to school so long ago that I had no idea the rules had changed. I've been putting a comma before the and for quite some time! Ugh, and I pride myself on knowing these things!

[stanley]

I always use the comma, I think.

He ran, slid, and landed in the pond.

I'm eating red, green, and yellow apples.

Some people are tall, some people are short, and some people are in between.

Are you saying those examples are wrong?

The first and third sentences are compound sentences with three independent clauses. It's proper to separate independent clauses in a compound sentences with a comma. ('Slid' , though it is only a single word is a clause in that it's a predicate verb with an understood subject. Like wise, 'landed'. As for the the single clause second sentence one can argue preferences.

[demetria]

I always think that one main point of grammar and punctuation is to make sure that what is being said or written makes sense, and is clear. If it makes the meaning clear to include a comma before 'and', then do so. And those who decide on house style should stick to this basic rule.

[swgorrell+]

And.....this has been so hard for me.

I consider myself a "comma freak." I was "old school".....and I used commas.

I've recently begun writing a book with another author who was a writing teacher. She, and another writing teacher, informed me that the rules have changed. Commas are over-used.

First, there was Common Core that changed the way Math is being done.....now, they're changing my comma rules. What name did they give to that?

[Sindhu Srinath]

I remember being taught that one should never use a comma before 'and'. Yet I saw it used in way too many books! I was really confused about whether I was taught wrong, I learnt wrong or the rule was relaxed! Thanks for the tip about it being used in particular places! I still have to learn more about it though.

[lucymn11]

Thanks for this! I've always considered myself a well educated fan of the Oxford Comma, if nothing else. Glad to see this post is here.

[Amagine]

I have a major problem with commas in general. I'm always either not using them at all or using too many. I'm always getting marked down simply because of commas! They are absolutely frightening to me.