The Comma Is Your Friend...

[MrScorpio]

[SeattleVet]

1. It could save lives!

"Let's eat, Grandma!"

vs.

"Let's eat Grandma!"

[Wednesdays]

2. A couple of actual howlers from our church bulletin

(I added the correct punctuation, which were missing in the originals.)

"Ride On, King Jesus"
"Come, Let Us Eat" - - Susan Johnson

[Stuart G]

3. The poor comma ,,, is underrated these days, and it needs more support..,

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

yes for the ,

[Totally Tunsie]

4. ...especially the Oxford Comma! n/t

[Codeine]

5. I can't understand the anti-Oxford comma crowd.

Oxford commas are the only sensible way to go!

[uriel1972]

6. When I need a Comma...

I only use Oxford Commas(tm)

[Totally Tunsie]

8. Ditto.

[Totally Tunsie]

7. I know. Right?

[question everything]

9. OK, I'll ask. What is an Oxford comma and how does it differ

from my usual one?

[Totally Tunsie]

10. An Oxford Comma is the last comma in a list or three or more items

and appears before the "and" in the sentence.

In "modern" times, the tendency has been to eliminate it; however, proponents argue that its usage is clearer and more sensible in a sentence structure.

Keep in mind, any comma indicates a pause.

For example:
I am going on vacation with my sisters, Michael, and Jim. (Oxford Comma)
vs:
I am going on vacation with my sisters, Michael and Jim. (Modern rendition)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Oxford version, the list is obvious: my sisters, (pause) Michael, (pause) and Jim.

In the modern version, it appears that the sisters' names are being described as Michael and Jim, which doesn't make a lot of sense...my sisters, (pause) Michael and Jim.

It is named as the "Oxford Comma" after Oxford University Press, which preferred its usage.

[question everything]

11. Thank you. Not being an English major - far from it - I have been using the "modern" one

because I thought this was the correct way. But I do like the Oxford one and will be using it from now on.

[Totally Tunsie]

12. LOL - Always happy to convert someone over to the Oxford Comma!

Thank you for being so receptive to it. I think you'll find that it does have a significant purpose, and now you can pass it on to someone else.

I see that you live up to your Username.

"Bring back the Oxford Comma!"

[question everything]

13. I did read and enjoyed this book