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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).

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

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.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

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
[–] [email protected] 0 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Also a fan of the serial comma, but I don't think a bulleted list works for your example:

This

• That

• The other

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

Why would you not bullet the first word in that bulleted list?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

That helps me understand what the other person was saying in response to my comment now, thanks!

Seeeeee....we all get confused without it!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

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).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The latter isn't even a proper use a comma, no? To introduce a list you should use a colon.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Without the Oxford Comma, it's not a list but an appositive phrase. In that context, it's correct usage.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I was always taught to never use it (UK) - but will use it where there might otherwise be the risk of ambiguity

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Inclusion is non negotiable.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Yes. Things feel out-of-balance without it to me. However, if the meaning is unclear (something something stripping Hitler and Stalin), I will work around it and/or use other punctuation. I think I have a bit of a weird synesthesia thing going on for written text (English or written code (in the programming sense); I don't have it as much in the other languages I read/write, but it isn't absent there, either).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

I use it. It’s nice.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I use it, since I like it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'm not a native speaker and was taught not to use it in middle school.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

You should sue them.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

AP style guide when i was in school suggested NOT putting a comma in, but also said it doesnt really matter. I err on the side of no comma

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Yes. Because it’s the correct thing to do.

😜

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

I use it.

Only way to avoid travesties like the famous "I want to thank my parents, Margaret Thatcher and God."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

yall are lucky when I can be arsed to use any punctuation at all

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

You, laz.y ba'stard;

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I don't use it because I enjoy the chaos.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

I tend to use it, but also Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma? (or more seriously) So I don't really care or usually even notice if others do, since in 99% of cases you can understand from context what someone means, and if you still don't, you can ask (and have a little chuckle together at a possibly absurd result to the omission)..