I also notice that the general trend (over time) is to reduce comma usage in British English. Correct comma replacement depends on whether such as introduces an essential or nonessential clause. In Canada, the stylebook published by The Canadian Press advises against it. 1. HLC 104-1, § 351 at 58 (1995), "Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects. A quick and easy guide to the comma. S hould you use a comma before and/or after “etc.”? Even if you replace “which” with another word, you would still need the same formatting for any piece of dialogue. When you have a series ending with a conjunction, you need to use the serial or Oxford comma. Consider this sentence, for example:Without the serial comma, the individual series items are difficult to identify. This is ambiguous because it is unclear whether "a maid" is an appositive describing Betty, or the second in a list of three people. In the phrase "ham, egg, and chips" it's the comma between "egg" and "and". Entirely optional - correct punctuation neither demands nor requires it. Generally, British English does not make use of this extra comma, but most publications on the US do. Although many of us were taught not to use a comma before and in a list, today the vast majority of style guides do advocate the use of the serial comma because it can prevent a possible misreading. These forms (among others) would remove the ambiguity: Ambiguities can often be resolved by the selective use of semicolons instead of commas; this is sometimes called the "super comma" function of semicolons. In this example “that his client was unable to attend the hearing” is a subordinate clause. [11] However, a few British style guides mandate it, most notably The Oxford Style Manual. That has more to do with the formatting of dialogue than with the word “which”. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list.. Comma Before And in Lists. Tone vs. Oxford Comma Good or Bad? Serial Commas and Serial Semicolons By Erika Suffern Serial Commas. 2. 2. Summary. This was a matter of custom, but that custom was about to change. It has been called the Oxford or Harvard comma because those two organizations famously promoted it at a time when newspapers routinely omitted it to save line space. 8 Pros and Cons (Infographic) by Jennifer Frost. ", 2003; This punctuation style, however, does have a drawback: It may imply a closer connection than actually exists between the last two elements of the series (p. 89). This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or Oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of Oxford University Press. Oxford comma (also known as the "serial comma" or "Harvard comma") is the name given to the optional final comma in a series. If the book dedication above is changed to, the serial comma after Ayn Rand creates ambiguity about the writer's mother because it uses punctuation identical to that used for an appositive phrase, leaving it unclear whether this is a list of three entities (1, my mother; 2, Ayn Rand; and 3, God) or of only two entities (1, my mother, who is Ayn Rand; and 2, God). English novelist Sir Philip Pullman and others criticized the omission of the Oxford comma, whilst others said it was an Americanism and not required in this instance. Associated Press Style Guide (AP Style) The Serial Comma/Oxford Commas Once again, we have two independent clauses: It’s cold outside plus I can’t find my coat. Don’t switch back and forth in the same document between using the Oxford comma and not using it. (By the way, you can tell they’re independent clauses because each one could stand on its own as a complete sentence.). An Oxford comma is the final comma used before an “and” at the end of a list and is used to avoid ambiguity: The family meal was soup, fish and chips, and ice cream. Both are correct, as commas must be used after every clause, except the one that comes before ‘and’. Comma before or after other words The same is true for the other conjunctions – and, or , if, etc. Commas are important, including the Oxford Comma. For example “Dear Mr Smith” in a business email has lost the comma. You also need a comma before an interrogative “which” when the word appears in dialogue. By the way, this rule only applies to lists of three or more items. The serial comma is an extra comma you will often see placed before “and/or” in US based English. You can safely delete it if you want without losing the context. [7] A majority of American style guides mandate use of the serial comma, including APA style,[8] The Chicago Manual of Style, Garner's Modern American Usage,[9] The MLA Style Manual, Strunk and White's Elements of Style[10] and the U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual. It matches the spoken cadence of sentences better. But wait! This would still be ambiguous if a serial comma were added, as Mandela could still be mistaken for a demigod, although he would be precluded from being a dildo collector.[25]. The final comma in these lists (before the word ‘and’) is known as the ‘serial comma’. Some people put the comma before the "and" while others leave it out, but it definitely does not go after. After an initial/introductory adverb that modifies a whole sentence or independent clause. In a list of three or more items, You may, therefore, continue with the project. There is ambiguity about the writer's parentage, because "Ayn Rand and God" can be read as in apposition to my parents, leading the reader to believe that the writer claims Ayn Rand and God are the parents. At one time the Brits did use it, but without wanting to get … Mood: How to Use Tone and Mood in Your Writing, 5 Writing "Rules" That Are Really Guidelines, Beware of These Common Consistency Issues in Writing, There are a few exceptions that require you to use the Oxford comma. Enjoyed this infographic? You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. Here’s what you can do next: 3.9K shares; Share; Tweet; Pin; Want this infographic on your blog or website? There’s no single rule that applies to all situations. Entirely optional - correct punctuation neither demands nor requires it. The fact that your last sentence looks unnatural, despite having correct commas, is evidence that you shouldn't use an ampersand like that! In English language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma (also called an Oxford comma or Harvard comma),[1][2] is a comma placed immediately after the penultimate term (i.e. Not all writers or publishers use it, but it is used by Oxford Dictionaries – some people refer to it as ‘the Oxford comma’. Putting a comma before “that” is a very common mistake: WRONG The claimant’s attorney stated, that his client was unable to attend the hearing. Perhaps no mark of punctuation ruffles feathers more than the serial comma (also called series comma, Oxford comma, and Harvard comma).This comma precedes the final item in a list or series, before the word and or or.With the exception of newspapers, most publications use the serial comma, because it helps writers … Adding a serial comma removes this ambiguity: In some circumstances using the serial comma can create ambiguity. Each mark has it's own job to do. Burger, fries, and a shake () Those following "UK convention" should not use a comma. Nevertheless, the style that seems to be recommended the most is to always include a comma before “etc.”; it is recommended even by those who discourage the use of the Oxford comma (the comma before the last item in a list). Using it can … [29] In Australia, Canada and South Africa, the serial comma tends not to be used in non-academic publications unless its absence produces ambiguity. It’s cold outside, and I can’t find my coat. Common arguments for consistent use of the serial comma: Common arguments against consistent use of the serial comma: Many sources are against both systematic use and systematic avoidance of the serial comma, making recommendations in a more nuanced way (see #Recommendations by style guides and subsequent sections). Before a coordinating conjunction when it separates an independent and dependent clause as an Oxford comma. We traveled to China, Thailand, and Japan. You need to put a comma between the different items in a list, as in the following sentences: Saturday morning started with a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and French toast. And here is the same sentence with the Oxford comma:. This is called the serial comma or Oxford comma. ; Commas can separate adjectives, offset nonessential phrases, and introduce direct quotations. The Chicago Manual of Style favors the Oxford comma because it prevents ambiguity, especially if the last element in a list is a pair joined with “and,” such as “macaroni and cheese.” Ex: Ampersands in relatively formal text may be used to form a compound name (e.g. British English allows constructions with or without this comma,[6] while in American English it is common and sometimes even considered mandatory to use the comma. Consider this apocryphal book dedication:[23]. For these, you don’t put a comma before the last item in a list, but you still need one for all the other items. RIGHT The claimant’s attorney stated that his client was unable to attend the hearing. When you have two independent clauses joined together by and, most style guides say that it’s OK to leave the comma out as long as the two independent clauses are very short and closely connected. Just be consistent. Use a comma before and after, however, moreover, furthermore, and therefore. A writer who intends a list of three distinct people (Betty, maid, cook) may create an ambiguous sentence, regardless of whether the serial comma is adopted. There is a ferocious grammatical debate over whether a comma should go before the final conjunction in a series of three or more elements. If the information is appropriate for the lead of the article, this information should also be included in the body of the article. Whether or not you put a comma before and depends on how you’re using and. The position of a comma can often reflect the sense in which the word is being used. A lot of people have strong feelings about putting a comma before and in a list. Use of the comma is consistent with the conventional practice of the region. As the U.S. appeals judge David J. Barron wrote, "For want of a comma, we have this case. For example, a list of three drinks might be punctuated either as "beer, wine, and whisky", or as "beer, wine and whisky". It is, furthermore, out of my control. The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists. A lot of people have strong feelings about putting a comma before and in a list. Maeve Maddox (English Ph.D. and DWT writer) (link) Mark Nichol (UC Berkeley instructor and DWT writer) (link) Mary Cullen (Business writing instructor) The Chicago Manual of Style The Elements of Style MLA Style Guide (link) Grammarly The jumper is available in green, yellow, and black and white. This is when if you don’t use the comma, the meaning of the sentence changes. 4th Ed. Truck drivers demanded overtime pay, and the defense conceded that the expression was ambiguous, but said it should be interpreted as exempting distribution activity from overtime pay. As a general rule of thumb, you can leave out the comma before the last item in a list unless putting one in will reduce confusion. That comma is optional. You usually put a comma before and when it’s connecting two independent clauses. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as "France, Italy and Spain" (without the serial comma) or "France, Italy, and Spain" (with the serial comma). There’s no definitive answer, because different style guides recommend different usage. This is true for proper names, ordinary nouns, verbs, or anything else. Its omission may suggest a stronger connection between the last two items in a series than actually exists. Our language uses exclamation marks, semicolons, dashes, and commas - just to name a few. [3][4][5], Opinions among writers and editors differ on whether to use the serial comma, and usage also differs somewhat between regional varieties of English. The Economist Style Guide notes that most British writers only use it where necessary to avoid ambiguity. Find out: Tip: Bookmark that page. The fact that your last sentence looks unnatural, despite having correct commas, is evidence that you shouldn't use an ampersand like that! After a subordinate clause—one that starts with a subordinating conjunction. Writing, grammar, and communication tips for your inbox. The sentence above contains two independent clauses (highlighted in green), so it requires a comma before and. The Oxford Comma. [54], The opinion in the case said that 43 of the 50 U.S. states had mandated the use of a serial comma and that both chambers of the federal congress had warned against omitting it, in the words of the U.S. House Legislative Counsel's Manual on Drafting Style, "to prevent any misreading that the last item is part of the preceding one"; only seven states "either do not require or expressly prohibited the use of the serial comma". Ampersands in relatively formal text may be used to form a compound name (e.g. On the other hand, removing the final comma: leaves the possibility that Betty is both a maid and a cook (with "a maid and a cook" read as a unit, in apposition to Betty). Other style guides take the opposite approach. Check out our general guide to comma usage. The Oxford, or serial, comma is included before the final "and" in lists. Therefore, we need a comma before and. After a time phrase that comes before a sentence or independent clause. AP Style—the style guide that newspaper reporters adhere to—does not require the use of the Oxford comma. That means it’s a dependent clause, so we should not use a comma before and. Leave a comment. The Oxford comma is an optional comma before the word ‘and’ at the end of a list. Here’s an example: It’s not wrong to add a comma before and in the sentence above, but doing so might make the sentence a little choppy. (Isn’t there always?) It was, moreover, a very poor effort. MLA style (as well as APA and Chicago ) requires the use of the serial comma—AP style highly recommends leaving it out. Here’s a sample sentence without the Oxford comma:. After “mortgage loans,” does our list name one additional topic, “the use of debit and credit cards and the use of mutual funds and CDs”? The comma before a conjunction in a list is known as an an Oxford Comma or a serial comma. It said "Although authorities on punctuation may differ, when drafting Maine law or rules, don’t use a comma between the penultimate and the last item of a series. The Oxford Comma (or the Serial Comma) is the comma before “and” in a list of three or more items. Serial Comma. It's known as the Oxford comma because it was traditionally used by printers, readers, and editors at Oxford University Press. [18][19], The new United Kingdom 50p coin commemorating Brexit day, 31 January 2020, was minted with the phrase "Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations". The school has a vegetable garden in which the children grow cabbages, onions, potatoes, and carrots. [28], In the U.S. state of Maine, the lack of a serial comma became the deciding factor in a $13 million lawsuit filed in 2014 that was eventually settled for $5 million in 2017. You can, however, proceed with the corrections. It is unclear whether the eggs are being grouped with the bacon or the toast. After all, t he Oxford comma gets its name from Oxford University Press, where its readers, editors, and writers would commonly use it. Exactly why this particular quirk of comma usage stirs such passions is hard to say; it’s just one of those things. ; Commas should be used before and when joining two independent clauses or when compiling a list. Sam and Sarah take excellent care of their pets. Sam tossed the ball and watched the dog chase it. Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives. You should not use a comma before and if you’re only mentioning two qualities. Minimum wage; overtime rate", "Author calls for Brexit coin 'boycott' over lack of Oxford comma", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Serial_comma&oldid=991305493, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia introduction cleanup from June 2020, Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from June 2020, All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Don’t use a comma before and when one of the clauses it’s connecting is a dependent clause. It is easy to learn the punctuation rules for coordinating conjunctions. The lack of a comma suggested one meaning, while the omission of the conjunction or before "packing" and the fact that the Maine Legislative Drafting Manual advised against use of the serial comma suggested another. The dog is well trained and good natured. The dog is young, well trained, and good natured. The Oxford Comma, Plus Every Comma Rule You Need to Know By Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda on June 24, 2014 • ( 3). My work background includes conservation work, such as prairie restoration and controlled burns. The Oxford comma comes right after eraser. There are different punctuation marks in the English language. It’s almost always optional to put a comma before and in a list. Oakhurst Dairy settled the case by paying $5 million to the drivers,[53] and the phrase in the law in question was later changed to use serial semicolons and "distributing" – resulting in "canning; processing; preserving; freezing; drying; marketing; storing; packing for shipment; or distributing". a. On appeal, however, the First Circuit decided that the sentence was ambiguous and "because, under Maine law, ambiguities in the state's wage and hour laws must be construed liberally in order to accomplish their remedial purpose", adopted the drivers' narrower reading of the exemption and ruled that those who distributed the goods were entitled to overtime pay. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. A comma before and removes the ambiguity: But lists can also be written in other ways that eliminate the ambiguity without introducing the serial comma, such as by changing the word order or by using other punctuation, or none, to introduce or delimit them (though the emphasis may thereby be changed): An example collected by Nielsen Hayden was found in a newspaper account of a documentary about Merle Haggard: A serial comma following "Kris Kristofferson" would help prevent this being understood as Kris Kristofferson and Robert Duvall being the ex-wives in question. The Oxford comma is an optional comma before the word 'and' at the end of a list: We sell books, videos, and magazines. If you’ve ever heard someone arguing about serial commas or Oxford commas, this is what they were talking about. The dog is well trained, and good natured. The AAMT Book of Style for Medical Transcription, Claudia Tessier, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage, "Serial comma - Oxford comma - Harvard comma", "The case of the $13 million comma and why grammarians are rejoicing", "Lack of Oxford Comma Could Cost Maine Company Millions in Overtime Dispute", "The Best Shots Fired in the Oxford Comma Wars", "Commas: the biggest little quirks in the English language", "The Oxford comma is an abomination, but it's now the law", "The Oxford Comma Is Extremely Overrated", "Oxford Comma Decides Court Case in Maine Labor Dispute", "Maine Legislative Drafting Manual 113 (Legislative Council, Maine State Legislature 2009)", "A Few Words About That Ten-Million-Dollar Serial Comma", "Oxford Comma Dispute Is Settled as Maine Drivers Get $5 Million", "Title 26: Labor and Industry, Chapter 7: Employment Practices, Subchapter 3: Minimum wages, §664. 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