Oxford Commas

[NullAccount 287]

I was just wondering who all uses their Oxford commas. It isn't required in the English language but many prefer to use it. If you don't know what it is, in a list it's the comma right before and.

 

A sentence with an Oxford comma:

I went to the store to get eggs, milk, butter, and bacon.

 

A sentence without an Oxford comma:

I went to the store to get eggs, milk, butter and bacon.

 

I personally prefer use Oxford commas.

[ProjectRKA 2,848]

To me it really depends on the sentence, tbh. Though, when just listing things, I usually don't use the oxford comma.

[hgdsghfdhgfdghfdshg 82]

I do use the Oxford comma because I was taught to my whole life.

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

Didn't know it was called that; I've just used it inadvertently for years.

Edited April 23, 2016 by Mand'alor Dash

[CheeryFox 23,822]

I have to use it on any work or it gets rejected...

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

While I was told (presumably in school) that it isn't strictly necessary, I have always placed my "Oxford commas."  A sentence just looks better to me that way.

[Lisa 5,553]

I was taught Oxford commas were incorrect, but for some reason I kept using them. I don't always use them though, I think I use them to add significance on the following word.

 

In OP's example:

A sentence with an Oxford comma:
I went to the store to get eggs, milk, butter, and bacon. 

A sentence without an Oxford comma:
I went to the store to get eggs, milk, butter and bacon. 

 

Notice how in the sentence with the Oxford comma, the bacon sounds more important than the sentence without.

Edited April 23, 2016 by Holiday

[ARagY 1,152]

Idk why you wouldn't. Separate each item with a comma. 

[Yamato 1,348]

 

 

It isn't required in the English language

Technically, since there's no regulatory body over English like there is for French or many other languages, nothing is required in the English language. Anything goes.

On topic, I usually use 'em.

[LHfunk 422]

I almost always use it, except for the occasional time where I just forget to put it in.

[CheeryFox 23,822]

 

Technically, since there's no regulatory body over English like there is for French or many other languages, nothing is required in the English language. Anything goes.

 

On topic, I usually use 'em.

 

More like anything goes unprofessionally / nonacademically... 

[Yamato 1,348]

More like anything goes unprofessionally / nonacademically... 

Yeah, some assholes seem to think there really is a set of rules. In reality, everything they think is wrong is just "irregular usage".

[Detritus 258]

I always use them. It looks wrong to me if I don't.

[Invincible 2,091]

I never did, in fact. Then again, English is not my primary tongue.

[That Guy with the CMB 5,873]

I remember asking my 1st grade teacher if I should use a comma in a certain area. She said yes. I've always used "Oxford commas".

[Merion 783]

I don't use them. Putting a comma before and is usually considered incorrect in my native language, so... It's hard for me to accept them in a foreign language. ^^'

 

[On-Locoweed 108]

English grammar changes from time to time but I really dig the idea of universally using the Oxford Comma. Like, for real, how did I itemize listed thingys before?

[EpicEnergy 23,224]

I use Oxford commas all the time, I just have a habit of doing it.

[Early Sunsets 2,107]

Use it! Please, I'm begging. Just one little extra comma to make a sentence more pleasant to read.

[Splashee 28,566]

On 4/23/2016 at 3:30 PM, FlutterFly761 said:

A sentence with an Oxford comma:

I went to the store to get eggs, milk, butter, and bacon

Um.... I use Oxford ums in my sentences.

 

That comma, I used when I first wrote English, but I realized i wanted to be like the rest of the people on the internet, and don't use odd behavior.

[Cagey 4,248]

I’m so in favor of the Oxford comma that I want a mug for it. 

[Fluttershutter 2,529]

I always use them. It just makes sense.

[Brony Number 42 10,072]

They are neccessary to avoid confusion. Here is an example. Derpy has a box of muffins, one of each flavor.

The flavors are: blueberry, banana, chocolate and peanut butter.

How many muffins does Derpy have, 3 or 4? Are chocolate and peanut butter 2 muffins, or 1 muffin with both ingredients? If you don't believe in Oxford commas, and chocolate and peanut butter was 1 muffin, then your list would look like this:

blueberry, banana and chocolate and peanut butter.

How can anyone say that this is easier to read? The logical list is

blueberry, banana, and chocolate and peanut butter.

The Oxford comma emphasises that the elements are separate, just in case someone makes a list and doesn't use the "and" after the last item. 

If chocolate and peanut butter are separate muffins, then I could write

blueberry, banana, chocolate, and peanut butter

Or

blueberry, banana, chocolate, peanut butter

And either is understandable.

 

[Yoshi89 5,293]

I don't. I was never taught to.

[Mini 453]

i was taught that i shouldn't should use them

the 'and' separates the items anyway, u don't need a comma