1. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13,984
    Likes Received:
    8,557
    Location:
    California, US

    Writers who want clarity should use the Oxford comma

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Steerpike, Mar 15, 2017.

  2. JLT

    JLT Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2016
    Messages:
    1,857
    Likes Received:
    2,234
    Good article. IMHO, the Oxford comma is not a requirement in writing, but can be a useful tool for clarity, as the article shows.

    Consider this sentence:

    At the reception, I met Robin, her husband and her editor.

    The writer could be talking about one person, two people, or three people. A simple comma resolves the ambiguity.

    At the reception, I met Robin, her husband, and her editor.

    (Remember that Robin could be either a male or female name.)
     
    Simpson17866 and Steerpike like this.
  3. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13,984
    Likes Received:
    8,557
    Location:
    California, US
    It's not always strictly necessary for clarity, but I use it regardless because it is easy to use and even when I don't see an ambiguity others may.
     
  4. JE Loddon

    JE Loddon Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    161
    Location:
    South-East, UK
    I always use it, because why wouldn't you? As has been shown, it provides clarity.
     
    Bill Chester and Steerpike like this.
  5. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13,984
    Likes Received:
    8,557
    Location:
    California, US
    I know people who are rather fervently against it. Not sure why.
     
  6. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2010
    Messages:
    15,262
    Likes Received:
    13,084
    Some people are stylistically opposed to anything that is not absolutely necessary, seeing it as clutter even if it has a possible purpose for clarity. It's an interesting and usually internally consistent stylistic philosophy. It just doesn't work for me.

    (Those people would, for example, have reacted to the "that is" in my sentence above with a shudder.)
     
    Steerpike and Simpson17866 like this.
  7. Simpson17866

    Simpson17866 Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2013
    Messages:
    3,406
    Likes Received:
    2,931
    For my birthday party, I invited the world's worst mass murderers, Bill Gates and Lady Gaga.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice