What’s an Oxford comma?
Also known as a serial comma or Harvard comma, the Oxford comma is the last comma in a list of three or more items. Here’s an example:
“Copywriters, editors, and proofreaders.”
The Oxford comma is the one that follows “editors”.
Adding an extra comma is essential
Doesn’t it just make a sentence look messy? Well, at first glance, this may seem true. However, things can get ambiguous. Take the following two sentences:
“I visited my parents, Bob and Jane.”
“I visited my parents, Bob, and Jane.”
In the first example, Bob and Jane are their parents. In the second example, Bob and Jane are two other people in addition to their parents.
A huge difference with a tiny little comma, wouldn’t you agree?
Never forget: Clarity is key
Being clear and concise is your absolute priority. As editors, we can’t stress this enough. Be it a manuscript, academic paper, business report, or anything else, your intent should always be clear. A great tip is to always see things from the reader’s perspective. Is the writing clear? Could anything be misinterpreted?
Important takeaways about the Oxford comma
The most important thing to remember is that the Oxford comma prevents unnecessary confusion.
If you don’t already use it, hopefully this short article has converted you. If you are still a little confused about its usage, you can always chat to us.
At English Editorial Solutions, our copywriters, editors, and proofreaders pride themselves on meticulously checking your grammar, punctuation, and clarity so that funny little things like Oxford commas don’t get missed.