Why everyone's writing benefits from the Oxford comma
SHAKING THE TREE #58
It’s necessary, important, and useful.
It reduces ambiguity, it improves clarity, and it removes doubt in terms of meaning.
And I’ve just used it twice, because I can, and because I like to.
The Oxford comma.
Writers either love it or hate it.
Various style guides advocate against its use.
I believe those guides are wrong.
The serial comma, also known as the Oxford comma, is a punctuation mark that comes before the conjunction in a list of three or more items.
It’s a small yet mighty grammatical tool that’s often revered for its ability to clarify and disambiguate complex lists in both British and American English.
For instance, consider the sentence: "I had dinner with my parents, a chef, and a scientist." The serial comma before the conjunction (in this case, 'and') after "a chef" clarifies that the writer dined with four individuals: the writer’s parents, a chef, and a scientist.
Without the serial comma, the sentence implies that the parents are the chef and scientist.
In British English, the usage of the serial comma is more optional and varies among style guides and publishers. However, it is generally more consistently applied in American English writing styles.
Many American style guides, including those associated with newspapers like The New York Times and Chicago Manual of Style, mandate its use to avoid ambiguity.
Despite this difference in acceptance and prevalence, the primary function of the serial comma remains the same in both variations of English: it exists to enhance clarity in lists, ensuring that each item is distinct and accurately represented.
Appreciating the serial comma underscores its role in precision and eliminating confusion in written expression.
Its simple presence or absence significantly alters the meaning of a sentence, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful punctuation in effective communication.
Here are five examples demonstrating how the absence of a serial comma can lead to ambiguity:
1. With serial comma:
I'd like to thank my parents, Oprah Winfrey, and God.*
Explanation: In this sentence, the serial comma after "Oprah Winfrey" clarifies that the speaker is expressing gratitude to four entities: parents, Oprah Winfrey, and God. Each is distinctly mentioned.
Without serial comma:
I'd like to thank my parents, Oprah Winfrey and God.
Explanation: Without the serial comma, the sentence could be interpreted to mean that the speaker is thanking two entities: their parents and a combined entity consisting of Oprah Winfrey and God, which could lead to a confusing or unintended interpretation.
2. With serial comma:
We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin.
Explanation: With the serial comma, it's clear that there are three separate entities: strippers, JFK, and Stalin.
Without serial comma:
We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.
Explanation: Without the serial comma, it could be misconstrued that JFK and Stalin are the invited strippers, leading to a different, unintended meaning.
3. With serial comma:
My favorite sandwiches are peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, and turkey and avocado.
Explanation: The serial comma here helps differentiate three types of sandwiches: peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese, and turkey and avocado.
Without serial comma:
My favorite sandwiches are peanut butter and jelly, ham and cheese and turkey and avocado.
Explanation: Without the serial comma, the sentence might imply that "ham and cheese and turkey and avocado" form a single sandwich combination, causing confusion about the types of sandwiches mentioned.
4. With serial comma:
This book is dedicated to my parents, Stephen King, and Lady Gaga.
Explanation: The serial comma makes it clear that three entities are being acknowledged: the parents, Stephen King, and Lady Gaga.
Without serial comma:
This book is dedicated to my parents, Stephen King and Lady Gaga.
Explanation: Without the serial comma, it could be interpreted as the parents being Stephen King and Lady Gaga, which obviously creates confusion.
5. With serial comma:
Please bring a cake, balloons, and happiness.
Explanation: The serial comma separates the items needed: a cake, balloons, and happiness.
Without serial comma:
Please bring a cake, balloons and happiness.
Explanation: Without the serial comma, it could imply that "balloons and happiness" are somehow related items needed, potentially causing confusion about the list's intent.
Interesting, don’t you think?
The examples given above underscore how the absence of a serial comma can create confusion or ambiguity, emphasizing the importance of its consistent use to ensure clarity in writing.
As a writer, I prefer using the serial comma. It acts as a simple yet effective tool to delineate each item distinctly, preventing confusion or misinterpretation of the intended meaning.
Its consistent use creates a smoother flow in writing and eliminates the need for readers to pause and decipher the intended structure of the list, thereby enhancing overall comprehension.
Ultimately, the Oxford comma stands tall as a champion of lucidity and precision in the written word.
Its unassuming presence ensures that the nuances and intentions of the writer are conveyed accurately, sparing readers from the confusion spawned by ambiguous lists.
As a faithful ally to clarity and coherence, the Oxford comma rightfully claims its place among the esteemed punctuation marks, enriching language and fostering unambiguous communication.
But that’s only my opinion. What do you think?
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … Why it’s good to do nothing.