What is the Oxford Comma?

It's a hot and heavy controversy in the grammar world! Basically, an Oxford comma is a type of serial comma - which is a comma that separates things in a list. The Oxford comma comes specifically before the coordinating conjunction (a fancy word for 'and, 'or', and so on) of the penultimate (before last) item in a list that has three or more items. HOWEVER the debate is - should we put a comma there at all?

This is an example with the Oxford comma- I need to buy juice, bread, and honey.

This is an example without the Oxford comma- I need to buy juice, bread and honey.

This is an example which doesn't fit the debate because it doesn't have enough items- I need to buy juice and honey.

What do you think? I personally use the Oxford comma, because it makes the sentence neater, clearer, and cleaner (see what I did there?)

EP

Related English IB answers

All answers ▸

'The purpose of the novel is to excite the readers' nerves by continually delaying the expected outcome of the plot'. Compare the ways in which authors build tension in two or more of the novels you have studied.


How can the target audience be identified in a text?


How are contrasts presented in Romeo and Juliet?


What's the difference between sarcasm and irony?