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Do you use a serial (Oxford) comma? (kbin.social)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by ThatOneKirbyMain2568@kbin.social to c/AskKbin@kbin.social

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A serial comma (or Oxford comma) is an optional comma used before the last item in a list. For example, "bread, butter, and tax evasion" uses a serial comma, whereas "bread, butter and tax evasion" does not.

Do you use it? Why or why not?

I always use it. I don't perceive any less of a pause between the last two items in a list than between any others, so it feels natural to put a comma there as well. Tbh, I'm so used to it that I usually have to do a double-take when it's not there (since it looks like a grammar error to me at first).

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[–] wjrii@kbin.social 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

I want to be able to communicate both ideas:
https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/017/771/the-oxford-comma_52c855ed979ed_w1500.jpg

[–] iAmTheTot@kbin.social 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The latter isn't even a proper use a comma, no? To introduce a list you should use a colon.

[–] quirzle@kbin.social 2 points 9 months ago

Without the Oxford Comma, it's not a list but an appositive phrase. In that context, it's correct usage.