So, I’ve got the following list containing a nonessential phrase (“ultimately”), non-Oxford comma: stifling curiosity, creativity and, ultimately, progress. Is it then correct, when converted to an Oxford comma, to end up with this monstrosity? stifling curiosity, creativity, and, ultimately, progress. Answer Yes. You are applying two distinct comma guidelines consistently: The commas around a … Read more
I was recently told that the Oxford comma is only for lists with three or more items. A preliminary search confirms this, as far as I can tell. I’m wondering if there is an equivalent word for a comma in a list with only two items, or if that’s universally considered inappropriate? Answer A comma … Read more
I have written many poems, topped lists and helped other poets. Also, is a comma required after the word ‘wells’ here? I spent years trimming flowers, digging wells and doing dishes. Answer the comma you mention is known as the Oxford Comma. Users of the English language have traditionally been split into opposing camps over … Read more
The Oxford Comma Case (Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, ME vs its drivers) has been settled for five million dollars. According to The New York Times The relatively small-scale dispute gained international notoriety last year when the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that [a] missing comma created enough uncertainty to side … Read more
I have to change a description for something in our app, and I was given this sentence: Create, edit and delete camera assignments and camera and DVR settings. Now the lack of an Oxford comma is obviously going to need to be updated, but I’m having some trouble with the subject of the sentence. camera … Read more
Question Can I use a comma (,) before an ampersand (&)? If no, then why not? Example The same products attracted all European countries to India: spices, silk, & cotton. Answer By way of supplementing Mari-Lou A’s answer, I note that Chicago Manual of Style is by no means alone in asserting that there should … Read more
In the introduction to The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins there is the following sentence: “The correct word of the title to stress is ‘gene’ and let me explain why.” I thought that since and connects two independent clauses — 1) “the correct … is ‘gene’” 2) “let me explain why” — there should be … Read more
In the sentence I had eggs, toast, and orange juice. we’re clearly speaking of three different items (eggs + toast + orange juice). My question is, if I don’t use the oxford comma in that case I had eggs, toast and orange juice. will I be speaking of only two items (eggs + toast with … Read more
I’m writing a paper, and I quote several lists from a source that doesn’t use Oxford commas. Sic seems way too strong for the situation, since there’s no real error in the quotes, just a different convention. I could change my own paper to be consistent with the quotations, but then what would I do … Read more
In compliance with the Oxford comma when listing three or more items a comma is used between the items and before and. What if in a list of three items two of them have a word in common (edge computing and cloud computing = edge and cloud computing), how should the commas be used? We … Read more
