Commas are used in a number of different ways in written English; one of those ways is separating items in a list or series. For example: I have two cats, three fish, and one dog. When a common is used in this way it is called a serial comma. The last comma in this sentence – the one before the word “and” has a special name – the Oxford comma. Today we are going to look at just this comma and how it is used. I know, this is a very specific topic, but as you will see it can also be quite amusing.
First of all, you should know that using the Oxford comma is generally considered optional. Grammatical authorities on English differ on whether to use the Oxford comma (i.e. the Chicago Manual of Style) or to not use the comma (i.e. the Associated Press Stylebook). Since different “authorities” of English grammar can’t decide on whether to use this comma or not, it is pretty much up to you to decided to use it or not. Some people really hate to use this comma others love it (Hint: I love hit). It is often recommended that you use the Oxford comma where it is necessary to avoid ambiguity, but still, not everyone does this. So, here is where this discussion gets interesting. Here are a number of examples of how if you use the Oxford comma, or not, you change the meaning of the sentence. In these cases, the Oxford comma is best used to avoid ambiguity or confusion.
Examples:
1a. Jamie found herself sharing a taxi with her ex-boyfriend, a doctor and a detective.
1b. Jamie found herself sharing a taxi with her ex-boyfriend, a doctor, and a detective.
In sentence 1a it is unclear if the doctor is also a detective or if the doctor and the detective are separate people. In sentence 1b, the Oxford comma makes it clear that there were four people in the taxi: Jamie, the ex-boyfriend, a doctor, and a detective.
2a. My heroes are my parents, Superman and Superwoman.
2b. My heroes are my parents, Superman, and Superwoman.
In sentence 2a it is unclear if the person’s parents are actually Superman and Superwoman or if the person’s heroes include, his/her parents and also Superman and Superwoman. In sentence 2b, the Oxford comma makes it clear that the person’s heroes include his/her parents in addition to Superman and Superwoman.
3a. John, Mike and I want to party.
3b. John, Mike, and I want to party.
In this example, it is unclear in 3a if the person is saying, “Hey John, Mike and I want to party, do you want to party too?” That is, is the person singling John out or including him in a list of people who want to party. In sentence 3b it is clear that the person speaking is saying these three people: John, Mike, and I all want to party.
If you want to learn more about the use and non-use of the Oxford comma and see a few more examples of how the comma can be used to help avoid ambiguity check out this video.
Below is a fun websites that also addresses the use of the Oxford comma, using memes:
Hi there! I am one of Transparent Language's ESL bloggers. I am a 32-year-old native English speaker who was born and raised in the United States. I am living in Washington, DC now, but I have lived all over the US and also spent many years living and working abroad.
I started teaching English as a second language in 2005 after completing a Master's in Applied Linguists and a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults' (CELTA). Since that time I have taught ESL in the United States at the community college and university level. I have also gone on to pursue my doctorate in psychology and now I also teach courses in psychology.
I like to stay connected to ESL learners around the world through Transparent Languages ESL Blog. Please ask questions and leave comments on the blog and I will be sure to answer them.
