How many here adhere to the "Oxford Comma", which conversely only applies to the American usage? I always get offended by it as it assumes no author is intelligent enough to figure out when a comma is required and when it isn't. Thus I've always refused. But I'm once more wondering whether I'm the sole odd duck in this regard.
Yeah, I've noticed. Yet if there's one thing I'm confident about, it's when to and how to use the proper punctuation—especially when it's most beneficial to drop required commas to make passages easier to read. As unnecessary pauses tend to throw readers, requiring them to double back and reread passages.
That said, aside from Switch, I haven't noticed it as frequently with other SOL authors, whatever their national origins or English usages may be.
As unnecessary pauses tend to throw readers, requiring them to double back and reread passages.
And when I don't see the serial comma, I stop and double back. I reread to understand the sentence — to make sure the last two items aren't associated. I do it every time.
I like Grammar Girl's logic:
Although the serial comma isn't always necessary, I favor it because often it does add clarity, and I believe in having a simple, consistent style, instead of trying to decide whether you need something on a case-by-case basis. I also think using the serial comma makes even simple lists easier to read. Really, unless space is incredibly expensive, I can't imagine why anyone would decide the best method is sometimes leave it out and sometimes add it in.
Really, unless space is incredibly expensive, I can't imagine why anyone would decide the best method is sometimes leave it out and sometimes add it in.
Because always using it can create ambiguity. Another black mark against Ms Fogarty.
AJ
I use the Oxford comma religiously.
There are instances where the serial comma introduces ambiguity - see Wikipedia (spit!).
Breaking my own ethics about not fat-shaming, how would you punctuate the following sentence to make crystal clear that 'he' isn't beaten up and dominated by a horse?
Checking the outside he encounters Lady Helen Windthorpe in riding clothes upon a horse who confronts him, beats him up and dominates him.
AJ
There are instances where the serial comma introduces ambiguity
You mean:
the comma after Mother Teresa creates ambiguity because it can be read as an appositive phrase
I guess. But give me a break!
I guess. But give me a break!
I think absurd examples are chosen deliberately to highlight the concept, thus helping readers learn to identify potential problems for themselves. And for that snippet, I'd like to thank my parents, God and Mother Theresa.
AJ
How many here adhere to the "Oxford Comma", which conversely only applies to the American usage?
I use the Oxford comma religiously.
I always get offended by it as it assumes no author is intelligent enough to figure out when a comma is required and when it isn't.
This is complete nonsense.
I sometimes don't use it in automatic text generation, because that saves having to special-case "only two elements in the list", but otherwise... it reduces ambiguity far more often than it increases it.
I'm not a fan in the general case. When I notice it (which isn't too often, to be sure) I find myself going back to see what I missed that needed the comma. Usually if I have something that needs it I'll first try to rework it so it's no longer needed, only using it if things would be too awkward otherwise. Of course, I'm a hack, not a real writer, and my opinion is exactly that — my opinion.
As a reader, I hate the Oxford comma. It makes the text disjointed and choppy. Unless you expect your readers to be complete complete idiots it does nothing to reduce ambiguity.