What is the Oxford comma rule?

The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things. For example, in “the flag was red, white, and blue”, the Oxford comma would be the one appearing before “and”. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it's necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.

Are Oxford commas grammatically correct?

Contrary to what most students believe, the Oxford comma isn't grammatically correct. But that doesn't mean it's wrong to use it. Instead, it's grammatically optional. As mentioned in the section above, whether or not you use the Oxford comma will depend on the style guide you follow.

Why is the Oxford comma so controversial?

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." There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity.

What is the big deal about the Oxford comma?

The blue-blood punctuation mark, named after the Oxford University Press, acts as a social signifier, a sieve for the bookish and studious (and, perhaps, pretentious). It suggests personality traits that extend far beyond punctuation preferences. There are other ways of doing this in your Tinder profile, of course.

Why does the UK not use the Oxford comma?

Despite being named after a British University, the Oxford comma (the comma used before “and” in lists (e.g., I like wookies, ewoks, and droids)) is not considered standard in UK English because only one style guide (Oxford) recommends it.

8am — Sunday after the Ascension (EF)

Why do Americans use Oxford comma?

The serial comma (also known as the “Oxford comma” in the UK) is a comma placed before the last item in a list of three or more things. Most American English style guides recommend using this comma as standard: I believe in good spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Why does everyone talk about the Oxford comma?

Proponents say it provides clarity, and critics say it provides redundancy. It goes by “serial” and “Oxford,” for the Oxford University Press style guide, which advocates for the serial comma (even though it's generally more common in American English usage than British English).

Is there a comma between last name and III?

John Smith III or John Smith, III? A. Traditionally, it would be John Smith, Jr., and John Smith III. But beginning with the fourteenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style (1993), the recommendation is to use no commas in either case (see paragraph 6.43 of the seventeenth edition):

Can you put a comma before and in a sentence?

It is grammatically correct to use a comma before "and" (and other coordinating conjunctions such as "but", "or", "nor") only when it splits two independent clauses (i.e. if you remove the "and" you will be left with two complete sentences), or if you're using it as an Oxford comma.

Does thank you need a comma?

This one's easy: You always need a comma after thank you when you are addressing someone directly. That means it's "Thank you, John." Adding a comma here separates the statement from the name of the person being thanked.

Can you start a sentence with and?

It's perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with and (as well as doing so with words such as but or or). Using and at the beginning of a sentence has been a practice for over a thousand years.

What are the 8 rules for commas?

Is there a comma after but?

If you are wondering whether a comma is need after the word but, chances are it is not. You should only use a comma after but when the preposition is immediately followed by an interrupter, i.e., a short word or phrase that interrupts a sentence to express emotion, tone, or emphasis.

Where do commas go when listing 3 things?

As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items, commas should separate each element of the list. However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and—is optional. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. Whether or not you use the serial comma is a style choice.

Is there a comma before JR and SR?

The MLA Style Center

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. In a sentence, add a comma after Jr. or Sr. if words follow; the suffix is parenthetical: Sammy Davis, Jr., was a member of the Rat Pack.

Is there a period after Jr or Sr?

Abbreviations for Name Suffixes

To abbreviate name suffixes such as “junior” and “senior,” the first and last letters -- “j” and “r” for “junior” and “s” and “r” for senior -- are written followed by a period. This abbreviation is used when a person's given name is written in full such as John H. Smith Jr.

What does JR SR III mean?

A man with the same name as his father uses “Jr.” after his name as long as his father is alive. His father may use the suffix “Sr.” for “senior.” The son may either drop the suffix after his father's death or, if he prefers, retain it so that he won't be confused with his late father.

What does an Oxford comma separate?

Also known as a serial comma, the Oxford comma falls before the word 'and' in a list of three or more. This creates a slight pause before the last item in the list, making it clear that each part of the list (in this case 'my dogs,' 'Steven,' and 'Mary') is a separate item.

What do the British call a semicolon?

For some time, the British have been using a colon where most Americans would use a semicolon. Many grammarians insist on a subtle difference between the two marks, however, no matter which side of the Atlantic you live on.

Which countries use the Oxford comma?

Although its use is widespread in North America, the Oxford comma is not as widely used in Australia and the UK. The Australian government's Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers merely says “sometimes a comma is placed between the last two items to ensure clarity” and doesn't use it in the manual's title.

Should you put a comma before and UK?

Comma Before And That Joins Two Independent Clauses. The word and is a conjunction, and when a conjunction joins two independent clauses, you should use a comma with it. The proper place for the comma is before the conjunction.

Does however need a comma?

However at the Beginning of a Sentence

Put a comma after however if you're using it as a conjunctive adverb to introduce a contrast, and it is followed by an independent clause (a clause that could be used as a complete sentence). The sun was shining brightly. However, the day was cold and windy.

Where does the comma go when using Because?

When the main clause of a sentence contains a negative verb, the insertion of a comma before because lets the reader know “the reason for a negative statement” (Cook 116): I didn't order the book online, because I was running out of reading material.

What is an interrupter in English?

Interrupters are little thoughts in the middle of a thought, added to show emotion, tone or emphasis. When we use an interrupter in the middle of a sentence, it should be emphasized with commas. This is because without the use of commas, the flow of the sentence may be awkward for the reader.

Is it correct to use a comma after Happy birthday?

Do we need a comma after “Happy birthday?” Generally, yes, we do need a comma after writing or typing “Happy birthday” when the message is directly intended for a specific person, a pet, a plant, and so on.