The oxford comma is used before the words and or or in a. The person who wrote it should have used a semicolon, not a comma, but its. The family meal was soup, fish and chips, and ice cream. This case backs up that habit as more than just an oldschool tic i. The lost city of the monkey god by douglas preston.
Despite this acceptance, some critics claim it still holds a potential of introducing unnecessary ambiguity in certain contexts. Okay, so for those of you not sure of whether or not to use the comma, heres an example of where it would matter. Steven pinker on grammar feuds and the oxford comma the. Dec 30, 2014 as an experimental psychologist, steven pinker thinks about writing. Having been an editor for nearly 15 years, i have no will of my own and am so enslaved by that book that i automatically agree. Adolf hitler s greatnephews are proud americans in long island. And while i dont have particularly strong feelings about the oxford comma, the argument being made is that you must use it i disagree with this, which is why i have decided to start my own rebuttal meme. Funny pictures about the great importance of the oxford comma. Jul 01, 2011 the oxford university guidelines are only for staff writing press releases and internal communications, a spokesperson has said, and oxford university press has asserted that the oxford comma. Style experts disagree on whether or not the oxford comma also called the serial comma. Its the comma one uses before the last item in a list, such as. Paste books helps you find what to read next, whether you love literary fiction. Drivers, and oxford comma, come up big in lawsuit settlement.
But sometimes a picture is worth many words, as this cartoon by. Lovely post on the serial comma or the oxford comma. If the oxford comma is, in fact, oxford, im the year you took off college to go chill with some maasai in. The oxford or serial comma is the final comma in a list of things. Book lovers, english majors, and wellread individuals alike are notorious for loving literary jokes, references, and puns. Mar 19, 2017 the associated press, considered the authority for most american newsrooms, also generally comes out against the oxford comma. Strippers, jfk, and stalin illustrate why you should use. The oxford commaalso called the serial comma and the harvard commais a regular source of confusion and angst. An oxford, or serial, comma is the last comma in a list. Strippers, jfk, and stalin illustrate why you should use the. Use of the oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others dont. What is the oxford comma and why is it so important.
Underestimate the oxford comma at your peril the globe. Our rule 1 of commas recommends, to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Ap style thats the associated press stylebook, which many. The oxford comma should only be used in lists of three items or more otherwise, it may give the. I believe that the oxford comma helps create a clearer meaning in text, and that it should be the standard for everyone to learn. The last comma can serve to resolve ambiguity, it says.
The oxford comma the blue book of grammar and punctuation. The oxford comma also called the serial comma and the harvard comma is a regular source of confusion and angst. On a personal note, id like to dedicate this blog post to my parents, ayn rand and god. Sep 19, 2011 ive blogged before about the usefulness of the oxford comma in avoiding inadvertent confusion. He writes in his new book, no sentence has ever been harmed by a series comma. A sentence that, in the absence of an oxford comma, makes the speaker seem like heshe is talking to inanimate objects. A grammar nazi gets the blissful satisfaction of always being right. The oxford comma is extremely important and everyone should.
Ive blogged before about the usefulness of the oxford comma in avoiding inadvertent confusion. Your oxford comma just made hitler a stripper, when we invited the stripper, hitler and stalin is actually more clear. Rather, its a fascinating, heartbreaking look at power dynamics, propaganda, and the human hunger for catharsis. Why everyone on tinder is an oxford comma enthusiast. When there are three or more list items, then those following us convention should use a comma often called an oxford comma with the conjunction usually and or or. You can and should use an oxford comma with any list of at least three nouns, verbs, or phrases. With no oxford comma, it implies that the performers share their names with the 35th u. Heres an overview of how the serial comma works and why its important for.
Oxford comma the quick answer an oxford comma is a comma used before the last list item in a list of three or more items. An oxford comma is the final comma used before an and at the end of a list and is used to avoid ambiguity. Hemingway against the oxford comma what would bale do. Mar 22, 2018 heres our oxford comma meme collection to make you feel a little lighter. Oxford cleared of serial comma killing books the guardian.
All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Three amusing examples of why the oxford comma is important amongst those interviewed were merle haggards two exwives, kris krisofferson and robert duvall. As a linguist, he thinks about writing in the sense of style. Hitler calls a meeting of his best soldiers and commanders and tells them. When you run into a situation in which your choice suggests a misinterpretation of the sentence, rewrite it in another manner to avoid the confusion. The rhinoceri, washington, and lincoln illustrate why you. When not keeping it oxford goes wrong the writing center. Its used in sentences to reduce ambiguity and to make them easier to understand. The oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is the final comma you write when listing three or more items in a row. Associated press style guide ap style the serial commaoxford commas. The debate rages on regarding inclusion of the oxford, or serial, comma. Without the oxford comma, it reads as though this author has some pretty impressive parents. The associated press, considered the authority for most american newsrooms, also generally comes out against the oxford comma.
Lover mug funny english teacher professor gift grammar police, grammar nazi. The oxford comma makes it read as though the mother is ayn rand. The oxford comma is extremely important and everyone. Artwork original source grammar humor memes oxford comma. Why oxford comma enthusiasts are all over tinder gq. The jumper is available in green, yellow, and black and white. The oxford comma is necessary in this sentence as its written. Some people consider the oxford comma stylistic which means its not really required. Apr 02, 20 in the current edition of the blue book of grammar and punctuation and on the website, we have stated a preference for use of the serial, or oxford, comma.
The best shots fired in the oxford comma wars mental floss. Its simply false that the oxford comma always adds clarity. Lover shirt, book lover gift, bookworm, bibliophile, librarian, grammar nazi. The oxford comma vs harvard comma vs serial comma the last comma in that sentence above is an oxford comma, also known as the serial comma or the harvard comma. Your reckless abuse of the oxford comma is furthering the. Im notorious for being a proponent of the oxford comma. Funny grammar book lovers shirt for writers, english teachers and oxford comma fans everywhere. Oxford comma helps drivers win dispute about overtime pay. These critics fail to realize that sometimes a little ambiguity is far better.
Jun 20, 2016 i care because words matter, punctuation matters, and there is no other logical position besides being pro oxford comma. Team oxford comma funny grammar shirt, teacher gift, librarian gift, book. Mar 16, 2017 in maine, the muchdisputed oxford comma has helped a group of dairy drivers in a dispute with a company about overtime pay. There is a ferocious grammatical debate over whether a comma should go before the final conjunction in a series of three or more elements. Feb 09, 2018 drivers, and oxford comma, come up big in lawsuit settlement a maine dairy company has settled a lawsuit over an overtime dispute that was the subject of a ruling hinging on the use of the oxford.
Your oxford comma just made hitler a stripper, when we invited the. I love reading books, but man, if i ever had to write one, i think my editor would have a fit. The horrified reaction to last weeks much retweeted, if inaccurate, claim that oxford university is abandoning the oxford comma was led by americans alarmed at this new threat to the special. But thats nothing compared to learning that two of americas. For the record, the editors bible in australia, the australian government style guide, recommends against using the oxford comma except when it is necessary to ensure clarity p. Feb 09, 2018 but the resolution means there will be no ruling from the lands highest courts on whether the oxford comma the oftenskipped second comma in a series like a, b, and c is an. Mar 19, 2017 the idea that the oxford comma is as advisable as storm windows has been a standard meme among literate americans since, especially, the publication of william strunk and e. Random fact 2, new high st, headington, oxford is home to the shark house. The phrase shoes, bags, and hats is written with an oxford comma, but shoes, bags and hats is not. See more ideas about grammar humor, humor and grammar and punctuation. What did the boston marathon bombers do that hitler couldnt. The oxford comma, socalled because the oxford university press style guidelines require it, is the comma before the conjunction at the end of a. Never imagined someone could make a joke with one of the most ruthless leaders the world ever had, but indeed these jokes are funny.
I had eggs, toast and orange juice as opposed to i had eggs, toast, and orange juice. Three amusing examples of why the oxford comma is important. Its name is always pretentious, and its purpose is always the same. I would like to thank my brothers, jesus, god, and batman. In actuality very little is known, or at least not well publicized about hitler the person. The serial comma, more commonly referred to as the oxford comma, has been recognized as the standard for descriptive sentence structure in english writing.
I do prefer the oxford comma, however, i seem to find myself not automatically using it as often as i used to. The oxford comma immortalised in the recent vampire weekend song of the same name is a comma used before a conjunction in a list of three or more items. The thinking persons guide to writing in the 21st century. I care because i like jokes about my parents, god, and stalin. Stefan karl is best known for his role as the villain robbie rotten in the tv series lazy town. This image, courtesy of the gloss, illustrates why. This book is dedicated to my parents, ayn rand and god. Decorate your laptops, water bottles, notebooks and windows. The term oxford comma refers to the oxford university press, whose house style is to use the serial comma. It gets its name from oxford university press, a publishing house that champions its use to the point that it even includes an oxford comma in job titles to give a madeup example. The zero tolerance approach to punctuation also by lynne truss. Style experts disagree on whether or not the oxford comma also called the serial comma is. Lightweight, classic fit, doubleneedle sleeve and bottom hem.
But the comma is common in book and academic publishing. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as france, italy and spain without the serial comma or france, italy, and. Coordinating conjunctions already serve a purpose, making oxford commas redundant by default. If the oxford comma is a prepster in chinos and a green lacoste polo, im a hipster in a dirty flannel shirt and skinny jeans. It is the difference between bring hot glue, an icepick and a hairnet and bring hot glue, an icepick, and a hairnet. And there is glorious comments thread here for those who relish grammar pedantry that only teh internets can unleash. Apr 10, 2017 your oxford comma just made hitler a stripper, when we invited the stripper, hitler and stalin is actually more clear. The chicago manual of style uses it, as does oxford university press style. Oxford commanistas around the world are having a heyday over a recent push alert sent by sky news, which they believe is the endall, beall argument in favor of their precious punctuation mark.
In english language punctuation, a serial comma, or series comma also called an oxford comma or harvard comma, is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction usually and or or in a series of three or more terms. The atlantic, best books of 2012 youve never seen nazi germany like this. Yet people are often taught that they should always use it or never use it. Grammar stickers featuring millions of original designs created by independent artists. While many of the sites i write for as a freelance blogger follow ap style including this one, which is sansserial comma, i still sneak one in when it seems needed to avoid potential confusion. Drivers, and oxford comma, come up big in lawsuit settlement a maine dairy company has settled a lawsuit over an overtime dispute that was the subject of a ruling hinging on the use of the oxford. The comma used before a conjunction such as and or or in a list of three or more items is known as the oxford comma. The problem is in his autobiographyworld philosophy book, mein kampf, he maintains. Indispensable oxford comma so, president obama is marrying raul castro.
As a diehard oxford comma loyalist, this ruling made my day. I would like to share the below presentation with you for this weeks grammar tip. Now, the oxford comma is to blame for the same problem. There are situations where use of the oxford comma will make or break a sentence choose a style and be consistent. Dead funny isnt just a book of wildly offlimits humor. Oxford city guide fun facts about oxford oxford city guide. Your primary school teacher might have told you that it was optional, and. Rule 1to avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more. The term oxford comma comes from the oxford university press, where the use of the comma is standard. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as france, italy and spain without the. We are discussing the usage of the oxford comma, where a comma is placed before the and when listing words. Sep 24, 2018 james thurber, a writer for the new yorker and author of the secret life of walter mitty, made a case against the oxford comma to his editor harold ross, in a discussion of the phrase the red. So if you didnt know, the oxford comma is basically the most important punctuation mark of all time. Ap stylethe style guide that newspaper reporters adhere to.
Jun 21, 2016 if you arent aware, the oxford comma also known as the serial comma is the final comma before and in a series. The oxford comma is the comma before the and in a list. The oxford comma refers to that serial comma used before coordinating conjunctions in a list of things. In maine, the muchdisputed oxford comma has helped a group of dairy drivers in a dispute with a company about overtime pay. There are wonderfully funny drawings on each page to emphasize exactly what each sentence means so readers can grasp exactly what is wrong.
Aldus manutius also known as aldo manuzio was a 15thcentury italian printer who introduced the comma as we know it, as a way to separate things. Where did the oxford comma come from, and why is it so. Original team oxford comma shirt design featuring classic team oxford comma english literature artwork. There is a new meme out there well, perhaps its not new, but it is all over facebook.
Sometimes, theres no getting around the fact that the correct point cant be conveyed without a comma. This usage was founded by the oxford university press who uses it as standard. Technically, its grammatically optional in american english. Whether you use the comma is a matter of style, meaning that some style guides call for it and some dont. The oxford comma is a comma that falls before the word and in a list of three items or more.
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