“There are people who embrace the Oxford comma, and people who don’t, and I’ll just say this: never get between these people when drink has been taken.”
So says Lynne Truss, author of the hugely successful punctuation bible “Eats Shoots & Leaves”, in reference to the surprising strength of opinion surrounding the use of the Oxford comma.
I was taught the Oxford comma in a class at a community college back about when I can't remember. I use it most of the time while now and then don't. So, I guess I am betwixt and between or perhaps agnostic in sense.
I used to think the Oxford comma might be an actual butterfly, moth or lacewing. Thankfully I discovered it was nothing more than a common comma, found routinely in everyday sentences in any decent grammar book. But now I've come across the Cambridge comma, which is even more confusing, baffling, and, potentially, controversial.
Please, don't ask me about the Oxbridge comma.....
Oxford comma or serial comma is a famous writing habit that's hard to break, which my editors have tried often. Eventually, they were successful. I no longer use these commas habitually, but I use them to make the sentence clearer.
Vampire Weekend has a nice little ditty about this comma.
***
Personally, I love the Oxford comma. Certain things get rather sticky and strange without it.
For a large part of my life, I never used the Oxford comma. I was never taught to include it in my work while I was in school. Now that I've learned about the Oxford comma and use it on HubPages, I love it and don't want to drop it.
Yea verily. Miss Ennals drilled the Oxford comma into me when I was eight and I will never abandon it.
I got around it right here in the forums. I never meet the Oxford comma, even in my university days.
What it? Well, I try digging Wikipedia today, ...but I withdraw because, Wiki, has not made any useful point.
I dig other websites, yes, it's a good idea. Actually, the Oxford grammar makes sense.
Miebakagh, Wikipedia is not a reliable source. It's written by independent authors like you and me.
I use the Oxford comma sometimes, but I was taught not to use it when I was in school. I do think the Oxford comma stops confusion in some sentences.
While I though it was primarily an American usuage. Because I was brought up with the British English. But why Oxford, Cambridge, serial comma? That would also invite London comma?
I’ve read that it’s thought to have been first used in the Oxford University Press.
I was taught not to use it when I went to elementary school in the US in the 1960s. I am trying to adopt the habit since it seems to be preferred by the editors here on HP.
I have clients who say using it has a negative effect on Google organic searches.
3 things that I've noted well about the Oxford comma. One, it was an ordinary comma that tally well within the American English usage than the British English, or I would have had learnt that 50 years ago in my English class. I went to school found by the British. Second, when I began to dig deep along the line, I stumble on the fact that before a conjuction, a comma (now called the Oxford comma) seperate each items and make the last item a reality. Thirdly, the court has ruled in that favour. And the Oxford University Press, made it it's trade mark and brand.
by Liz Elias 7 years ago
Please make up your minds!!I've had several hubs edited by the pro bot (or human-bot) now, and I do wish they'd make up their minds!Some of the hubs have had the Oxford comma removed; others have had it added!!How are we supposed to know which way to go with this, if HP itself is so indecisive??
by Mikal Smith 14 years ago
In my opinion the oxford comma is repetitive, distracting and unnecessary.With a slight concession, I hate to admit it but sometimes you just need it. I am interested to hear your take on it. I would love it if you posted in a similar manner, with or without the oxford comma, depending on your...
by Susan Hambidge 7 years ago
Bit by bit the 'editing' is changing my words .... I know it is 'for the good of the whole' but I am starting to feel a bit put off by it all.Some of my English grammar is going too, or my English-isms and I find that sad.I have now had my bio put like this 'Susan enjoys travel, art, writing, and...
by mpchekuri 15 years ago
I just want to know if there is any university to teach ethics to be followed by human beings. I would be surprised if one exists.
by plusMinus 11 years ago
What are the differences between cambridge dictionary and oxford dictionary?
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