# Oxford Comma Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 8, 2022, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594 "2022-11-08T15:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/61 "2022-11-10T13:07:03Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Would a GED comma suffice? The GED comma is widely misused. Love it or hate it, the Oxford comma knows it’s place. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/62 "2022-11-10T13:14:42Z")
I had a professor who specifically told me not to use the Oxford comma. But outside of graduate school, I pretty much use it all the time. It was good enough for my parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty and it’s good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/63 "2022-11-10T13:47:32Z")
Every once in awhile, in your educational career, you will come across a teacher who tells you to do something which is manifestly ridiculous. You do it as long as they are your teacher, so as to avoid trouble. Then, as soon as you move on and they are no longer your teacher, you forget that nonsense and go back to doing things like they should be done. “Don’t use the Oxford comma” is one of those manifestly ridiculous things. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/64 "2022-11-10T13:51:38Z")
I don’t get it. What error are you sic-Ing? Speech doesn’t have punctuation. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/65 "2022-11-10T18:56:49Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > The GED comma is widely misused. Love it or hate it, the Oxford comma knows it’s place. As that apostrophe doesn’t? ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/66 "2022-11-10T19:10:49Z")
Guess he only got a GED. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/67 "2022-11-10T19:26:15Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > As that apostrophe doesn’t? Apostrophes are free spirits. At least mine are. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/68 "2022-11-10T21:17:10Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Or engaged in a lawsuit with a cable company. Great story! I particularly like it because superfluous commas really irritate me. In this case, it changed the meaning of a contractual stipulation. Serves 'em right! This was the sentence in question: > Page 7 of the contract states: The agreement “shall continue in force for a period of five years from the date it is made, and thereafter for successive five year terms, unless and until terminated by one year prior notice in writing by either party.” At first glance it seems a perfectly reasonable sentence. The problem is that what Rogers meant to stipulate was that the contract was irrevocable for the first five years. The “unless and until” condition was meant to apply only to subsequent renewals described in the second clause, which would have been the case without that second comma. Inserting the comma broke it off from the second clause, and made it applicable to the entire sentence. And then we have the famous example where commas are essential: > Rachael Ray finds inspiration in cooking her family and her dog. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/69 "2022-11-11T00:27:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I don’t get it. What error are you sic-Ing? Speech doesn’t have punctuation. It isn’t just for errors, although it’s most commonly used for that. More broadly, it’s a way to inform your readers that whatever they might question in the passage is found in the source you’re quoting, not from you. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/70 "2022-11-11T00:31:33Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > And then we have the famous example where commas are essential: > > > Rachael Ray finds inspiration in cooking her family and her dog. - Who are you to say she doesn’t? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/71 "2022-11-11T00:36:53Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > It isn’t just for errors, although it’s most commonly used for that. More broadly, it’s a way to inform your readers that whatever they might question in the passage is found in the source you’re quoting, not from you. But I’m quoting an oral source – sorry, I suppose that wasn’t mentioned. I was thinking of quoting somebody’s spoken words. If that is how somebody is speaking – and it’s perfectly fine – how are you supposed to [sic] it? ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/72 "2022-11-11T23:13:21Z")
If you’re quoting an oral source, then you would punctuate it in a way to convey the meaning of the speaker based on tone of voice, pauses, etc. ---
**Author:** ![LegendHasit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/legendhasit/32/8246_2.png) [@LegendHasit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LegendHasit)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/73 "2022-11-11T23:34:57Z")
I add it. I used to be on the fence, but now have a side. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2022, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/74 "2022-11-12T02:01:06Z")
I used to add it only if it made a definite difference in the understanding of a sentence; however, since I started writing scholarly papers I always use it. ---
**Author:** ![paulmarkj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@paulmarkj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulmarkj)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2022, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/75 "2022-11-12T17:14:13Z")
When needed: Bad: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand and God” Good: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Ayn Rand, and God.” by extension: Bad: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Jane Smith and Jack Hobbs” Good: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Jane Smith, and Jack Hobbs” But what if Jane and Jack ARE my parents, then this: Good: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Jane Smith and Jack Hobbs” Bad: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Jane Smith, and Jack Hobbs” But nobody will ever think the parents are Rand and God, so either will do. There is no guarantee that any puctuation will remove ambiguity, so always check for clarity. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2022, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/76 "2022-11-12T17:19:12Z")
> [@paulmarkj](#): > > But what if Jane and Jack ARE my parents, then this: > Good: “This book is dedicated to my parents, Jane Smith and Jack Hobbs” Because of competing comma conventions, I would probably write “This book is dedicated to my parents: Jane Smith and Jack Hobbs” or possibly “This book is dedicated to my parents–Jane Smith and Jack Hobbs.” ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/77 "2022-11-22T06:53:04Z")
Never understood the Oxford coma. I’ve always worked on the principle that a coma between items in a list is a stand in for “and”. So if there’s an “and”, a coma is redundant and unnecessary. For example, if you’re going to write “This, that, and the other thing”, then for consistency you’d also have to write “This, and that”. But who would do that? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/78 "2022-11-22T08:25:19Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > Never understood the Oxford coma. Comma. > [@Oly](#): > > For example, if you’re going to write “This, that, and the other thing” … A fine example of the Oxford comma doing good work. With it, it’s clear that this is a list of three items. Without it, this sentence fragment is more difficult to parse and its meaning less clear. > [@Oly](#): > > … then for consistency you’d also have to write “This, and that”. No, you would not. A pair of items conjoined by “and” is not a list and is not punctuated as such. You’d never write “Bob, and Alice went shopping”. And this is precisely the problem with omitting the Oxford comma; it risks creating the impression that “and” is delimiting a pair, namely the set of items that precede it, and the single item that follows it. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/79 "2022-11-22T08:57:32Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > And this is precisely the problem with omitting the Oxford comma; it risks creating the impression that “and” is delimiting a pair, namely the set of items that precede it, and the single item that follows it. Too late to edit – I should add, as previously noted, that the “and” could also be interpreted as conjoining the last item with the second-last item. Interpreting all the items as equal members of the list – the meaning usually intended – is yet a third interpretation. The Oxford comma makes that third interpretation clear, and it’s just ambiguous without it. Note the example I cited in post #68. It’s not specifically about the Oxford comma, but it’s a great illustration of the delineating power of the comma, and how a superfluous comma in a contract cost a cable company $2 million. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594/80 "2022-11-22T11:38:42Z")
When editing someone’s technical report, I simply add the Oxford comma. I consider it a mild transgression. Sorry for the hijack, but what _really_ chaps my hide is an entire report written with two spaces inserted between sentences. I find it unreadable. I’ll try to fix it by replacing all ".\_\_ " with “.\_” But then that screws up periods that are used for abbreviations. Come on, people, there’s supposed to be _one_ space between sentences. Get with it! (And Word should have a built-in utility to covert two spaces to one space.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oxford-comma-poll/974594.md?page=5)