Where Do You Stand On The Oxford Comma?
Thanks to my son, Peter, Vampire Weekend’s song “Oxford Comma” now resides in my iTunes library. I love the song, especially its insistent chorus “Who gives a @#&! about an Oxford comma?” I do, of course.
The Oxford or serial comma precedes a conjunction (“and” or “or”) before the final item in a series of three or more. For example: red, white, and blue or Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett. Some people omit the second comma; others, including me, retain it. (And some people, as Vampire Weekend points out, don’t give a @#&!.)
Why do I? Two reasons:
1. Clarity. The Oxford comma ensures that there is no ambiguity about what you are trying to say. Consider this sentence: Among my heroes are my two sons, James Joyce, and Larry Bird. That's four heroes in all: Peter and Evan, James Joyce, and Larry Bird. But when you remove the Oxford comma, the meaning is no longer clear: Among my heroes are my two sons, James Joyce and Larry Bird. Looks like the writer and basketball legend are now part of my family!
2. Consistency. Since the Oxford comma is essential to avoiding confusion in some instances, I prefer to use it in all instances. In writing, consistent punctuation conveys command of the language and craft. Haphazard use of the Oxford comma will make your writing look sloppy.
Language, like us, is constantly evolving, so it is inevitable that conventions will change. However, I hold fast to the tradition of the Oxford comma — not because it’s old school, but because it contributes to clear communication.
Where do you stand in the Oxford comma debate?
EC
12:10 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
I didn't know it was called the Oxford comma, I didn't know there was a debate, and I didn't know it was optional! [Normally I would have broken that up into multiple sentences. :-) ]
I grew up learning that this was just proper grammar!
John Walsh
12:29 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Well done! Thanks for reading the post.
Michelle
7:06 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
As an Oxford comma devotee, I must say I enjoyed reading this!
John Walsh
7:34 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thanks, Michelle. Great to connect with another punctuation purist!
La Dolce Vita
6:50 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I appreciate the clarity on that little piece of punctuation that can make such a difference in meaning. Elements of Style doesn't cover The Oxford Comma.. However, a fun instructional tool for teaching younsters the use of the comma is Eats, Shoots and Leaves.
John Walsh
6:59 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Eats, Shoots & Leaves is a great book! http://tinyurl.com/7thchfj
Jan Russell
6:53 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Lynne Truss teaches many of the rules of punctuation and grammar by using very funny and memorable anecdotes and examples in her books. Never would have thought anyone could manage to make those topics funny, but she does. "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" is a favorite of mine. I always loved English and reading; maybe that's where this interest started?
John Walsh
7:34 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I loved English and reading, too, which led me to copywriting. I'm currently doing work for a big international company that has extensive editorial guidelines for all of its communications, and was happy to see that the Oxford comma is one of the standards. Minutia for many (and understandably so), but it matters to us. Thanks for reading!
Andrew Miner
10:15 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
I was taught to use the Oxford comma at Hanaford School and was never given permission to drop it. I didn't even know it was an option. Thanks for this post and I am glad you made a reference to James Joyce. Now I finally figured out which author's photo you use for your profile picture. It made me look up Joyce and I found this quote of his, "Writing in English is the most ingenious torture ever devised for sins committed in previous lives."
John Walsh
8:19 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
Thanks for responding, Andrew. I've enjoyed your posts, especially the recent one about the Giants. In addition to learning about the Oxford comma in your Hanaford days, you've developed excellent skills as a writer. I look forward to your future posts. Here's a good quote from another Irish writer, Oscar Wilde: "I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again."
Mike Bottaro
6:26 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
For legal writing, expert Bryan A. Garner generally dislikes the use of commas. He preaches avoiding commas wherever possible.
John Walsh
8:30 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I suspect the dislike of commas in legal writing stems from the fact that there is often a lot of language to work through and the commas slow the reader down. Besides, the awards being sought are usually financial, not literary! Thanks for reading the post, Mike. Look forward to yours.
mortalkonlaw
12:36 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wrong! He's all for the Oxford comma.
Andrew Miner
4:03 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
Spent a little time researching and reading Joyce and Wilde. Thanks for introducing me to these great Irish writers, Mr. Walsh.