Poll: Oxford Comma

[Seldon2639]

There is no hard and fast rule stating "Always/never use the Oxford Comma". It depends on the circumstances. Can we have a third option for people who just write clearly and correctly?

Done. Though, the question of whether it should be applied in a list (like red, white, and blue) doesn't allow for much contextualization.

Was never taught it and never used it in my life. I don't know why it just looks incredibly wrong to me.

The serial comma looks wrong, or the lack thereof?

 

[OtopiCreator]

When i started writing i naturally used the comma, but have since been told by many editors (in Australia) not to use it. They all delete them from my work unless doing so creates confusion in more detailed lists.

But then they also tell me i have to use single quotation marks to open dialogue, not double. That makes no sense to me since " are called quotation marks. Apparently in Australia and England it's ' for dialogue, while in America it's " All so stupid! ><

 

[EchetusXe]

I would never use an 'Oxford comma', for the same reason I would never throw a puppy out of a sixth floor window.

Though an amusing way to settle this would be to see who reaches Chiswick Bridge first. If its Cambridge then the serial comma is banned, if Oxford win then everyone must use it. This would change every year, but it would add an extra layer of importance to the annual boat race.

 

[EchetusXe]

But then they also tell me i have to use single quotation marks to open dialogue, not double. That makes no sense to me since " are called quotation marks. Apparently in Australia and England it's ' for dialogue, while in America it's " All so stupid! ><

What? That isn't right.

I've always used it as speech marks for "what people said", and 'these things for when it isn't an exact quote, but what they generally were saying'. Also I used them for "irony".

Also, speech is speech goes as such: "Hello? Jim also said 'Hello', how odd."

Rather than: 'Hello? Jim also said 'Hello', how odd.'

Well anyway, just tell your "editor" that you "accept" his "way of doing things", and that as he/she is your "superior" you will say 'you win' and accept it.

 

[Inverse Skies]

I always thought you weren't supposed to use a comma before 'and' hence I never have.

 

[Fronken]

From what i've learned using the comma like that is incorrect, but to be honest im not sure if i use it like that or not, i dont really pay that much attention to my grammar as i know my grammar is atleast adequate for discussions.

 

[bodyklok]

"red, white and blue" But I think I'll change that now.

 

[Zephyria]

I've never heard of the Oxford comma. Being from oxford I think thats a bit bad. Oh dear. Looking at the example however, i dont use it.

 

[OtopiCreator]

But then they also tell me i have to use single quotation marks to open dialogue, not double. That makes no sense to me since " are called quotation marks. Apparently in Australia and England it's ' for dialogue, while in America it's " All so stupid! ><

What? That isn't right.

I've always used it as speech marks for "what people said", and 'these things for when it isn't an exact quote, but what they generally were saying'. Also I used them for "irony".

Also, speech is speech goes as such: "Hello? Jim also said 'Hello', how odd."

Rather than: 'Hello? Jim also said 'Hello', how odd.'

Well anyway, just tell your "editor" that you "accept" his "way of doing things", and that as he/she is your "superior" you will say 'you win' and accept it.

But it is right. I always write like you say, "Yes, he said 'never' but..." while in Australia and England all books are printed the other way around. 'Yes, he said "never" but...' so i have to change it.

 

[Same River New Water]

Sometimes it increases ambiguity and sometimes it reduces it. Often it's amiguous either way.

The Oxford Comma is necessary. Example:

And an interview with the Pope, a clown and a whore.

And an interview with the Pope, a clown, and a whore.

I believe I have proven my point.

In the second sentence, the Pope could be a clown.

 

[Same River New Water]

EDIT: Sorry for the double post! I forgot I had posted in this topic! Too many browser tabs open. I'll leave them both because I have more to say. If a mod sees this and thinks I should aggregate them somehow please let me know.

For the record, I use double quotes normally but single quotes at my work (where I'm a copy editor) because that's the house style.

I've always used it as speech marks for "what people said", and 'these things for when it isn't an exact quote, but what they generally were saying'.

That's wrong. Quote go in quotation marks (single or double depending on the style), paraphrases do not.

But it is right. I always write like you say, "Yes, he said 'never' but..." while in Australia and England all books are printed the other way around. 'Yes, he said "never" but...' so i have to change it.

That's not true. There are no hard rules in Australia and England, just styles, but double quotes are more common than single quotes. I just noticed that both of the two biggest newspapers in Melbourne (where I live) use single quotes in headlines and subheaders of articles - see for example:
http://www.theage.com.au/world/london-hungerstriker-prepared-to-die-20090417-a94f.html
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25348193-661,00.html

I find that unusual, but it shows that there's no single standard.

 

[Lord George]

Where's the option for, I don't know what I'm doing and just put comma's at random throughout what I write.

Seriously what is the point of them, people shouldn't need to be told when to breathe when reading something. I have passed all my A level English exams with this attitude mahaahah.

 

[WolfThomas]

Was never taught it and never used it in my life. I don't know why it just looks incredibly wrong to me.

The serial comma looks wrong, or the lack thereof?

The serial comma or "Oxford Comma"

"Red, white and blue" is correct in my book.

 

[Flying Dagger]

"don't give a f**k about an oxford comma, spell the word any other way, that's fine by me"

i can only see the use for it in speechwriting, and then only to pause to give impact.

 

[Fingerprint]

As far as I'm aware the first option is actually correct but even so I will still sometimes use the extra comma.

 

[New Troll]

I know it's not needed, but I still use it most the time without thinking.

 

[A Raging Emo]

I use the rule. "Red, white and Blue" is how I would write it.

 

[lozzab]

The Oxford Comma is necessary. Example:

And an interview with the Pope, a clown and a whore.

And an interview with the Pope, a clown, and a whore.

I believe I have proven my point.

For the meaning you were trying to imply in the first sentence you would use a semi-colon; 'An interview with the Pope; a clown and a whore.'
So no, the Oxford Comma is not necessary

 

[bjj hero]

Where's the option for, I don't know what I'm doing and just put comma's at random throughout what I write.

Seriously what is the point of them, people shouldn't need to be told when to breathe when reading something. I have passed all my A level English exams with this attitude mahaahah.

A sad day for the education system. Commas make text easier to understand and can change the meaning of a text completely. Broloth made the point beautifully with his post:

The Oxford Comma is necessary. Example:

And an interview with the Pope, a clown and a whore.

And an interview with the Pope, a clown, and a whore.

I believe I have proven my point.

Generally you dont use it in lists but it can be used to insert additional information. Is it more of an American thing?

If you write anything with the intention of it being read out loud then you really can't miss the commas and expect it to be usable.

 

[brighteyesblackenedlungs]

depends on if i want a pause before the and