Oxford Comma? What we you taught long ago?

RMD

Question:
Oxford Comma:

Choices:
France, Germany, and England (Oxford Comma)
France, Germany and England (No Oxford Comma)

 

A very appropriate graphic illustrating this principle has previously appeared in this Forum. It caused me to spray my soft drink all over my keyboard and screen...

I was taught and still use the Oxford Comma although I had no clue it had a term.

Yes, absolutely.

It confounds me why anyone would not use it.

Because it serves absolutely no freaking purpose that isn't already served by the word "and". In the example above, you say the what's being said in the bottom version by simply not using any commas at all since the use of commas there would be pointless and I suppose at least potentially confusing.

Yep, Oxford comma.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
Because it serves absolutely no freaking purpose that isn't already served by the word "and".

It serves to clarify a sentence and prevent confusion.

Hardly. You're just adding dross. Honestly, the only people it could help are those who have to read aloud in order to read.

YES! Oxford or Serial comma is always in play.

Both, I've used.

Or, is it, both I've used?

Taught?
My earliest memory of the preference of an English teacher was to not use it. Ultimately, I changed my mind for myself and use it regularly.

Yes, along with my double space after a period.

It depends on context. If the series is potentially confusing, then yes. If the series is not potentially confusing, then no.

Moreover, the hilarious example of "the strippers, JFK and Stalin" could simply have been reordered to "JFK, Stalin and the strippers" to avoid the need for a serial comma in the first place.

One needn't cover up bad writing with punctuation, which often compounds its badness.

quote:

Originally posted by Oat_Action_Man:
One needn't cover up bad writing with punctuation, which often compounds its badness.

Speak for yourself! You're obviously not an engineer....

In 4th grade I was taught it was optional and since adding a tiny slash was so much more work, I opted out.

I have used both depending on whether the sentence would be more, or less confusing with, or without it.

quote:

Originally posted by Oat_Action_Man:

"JFK, Stalin and the strippers"

Is "Stalin and the strippers" the name of a punk rock band?

quote:

Originally posted by Whisp:

Yep, that’s the one.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Yes, along with my double space after a period.

Yes here, as well, and I double space from long habit. Though the SIGforum software collapses the extra space.