Oxford Comma Drama

Love it or hate it, the Oxford (or serial) comma debate is alive and well in the world of grammarians. There are those who are oddly passionate about their belief that a comma should be used in all cases at the end of a list of things, but some feel like it’s just not that big of a deal. Let’s review.

Those who were brought up writing by the rules of AP style (ahem, yours truly) tend to scoff at the use of Oxford commas as it’s simply not required. However, there are some cases where it must be used because let’s face it; sentences would read a little wonky without it.

For example, for AP style diehards, a sentence would look like this:

“The toad frog ate black beans, fried rice and toast.”

Seems harmless, right? The interpretation is the same with or without the comma, so it’s just a matter of preference. But what about the below sentence:

“I love my friends, Jimmy Fallon and Queen Elizabeth.”

Without an Oxford comma, the above sentence would seem as though I have two pretty famous friends named Jimmy Fallon and Queen Elizabeth. Well, that’s simply not true (Pfft… in my dreams). So, in the spirit of those who advocate for the oxford comma, the correct sentence would be:

“I love my friends, Jimmy Fallon, and Queen Elizabeth.”  

However, what about those who oppose the Oxford comma? They would simply argue that restructuring the sentence would solve the problem. Here’s what they might suggest:

“I love Queen Elizabeth, Jimmy Fallon and my friends.”

Look at that! Problem solved. Commas can be tricky, but like so many things, especially in writing, it depends on your preference and your style. So, search your inner grammarphobe and choose a side. Are you pro or no Oxford comma?  

If you’re looking to publicly show your pro or no comma pride, consider joining the below Facebook groups (and yes, these are real):

• All Hail The Oxford Comma
• Long Live The Oxford Comma
• Movement To Make Oxford Commas Mandatory
• The Oxford Comma Appreciation Society

Not an Oxford comma fan? Here are a few groups for you:

• Say “NO” to the Oxford Comma
• The League of the Abolishment of the Oxford Comma
• Grammarians for the Rejection of the Oxford Comma
  

And for your pure reading pleasure (apparently, these two know each other):

• Who gives a f*** about the Oxford comma?
• I give a f*** about the Oxford comma

And if you’re looking to combine your love of grammar with other random interests, consider joining one of these groups:

• The Oxford Comma, and Cadbury Chocolate Appreciation Group
• Students for Freedom, Equality, and Uncompromising use of the Oxford Comma
• Vampire Weekends – Oxford Comma

All hilarity aside, be kind to one another and practice grammar tolerance. May the comma drama continue…and may the comma “force” be with you.

If you enjoyed this article, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn. If you’d like to inquire about my services or work with me, please contact me using this form, and I’ll get back to you momentarily. I look forward to helping you Teal Your Story!

Sincerely,

Anna Teal