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).

  • JoBo
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    9 months ago

    They’re sometimes necessary for disambiguation. I use them all the time because it’s easier than remembering to use them when they’re necessary.

    • nicetriangle@kbin.social
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      9 months ago

      Yeah exact same opinion. I’ve trained myself to use them by default. Not having one when necessary is a lot worse than having them where it’s not absolutely needed. Just totally cuts out any chance of ambiguity.