4/5/2023 0 Comments Serial commaOmitting the serial comma may create ambiguity. Many sources are against both systematic use and systematic avoidance of the serial comma, making recommendations in a more nuanced way (see Recommendations by style guides and subsequent sections). Where space is at a premium, the comma adds unnecessary bulk to the text.It can introduce ambiguity (see examples below).Use of the comma is inconsistent with the conventional practice of the region.Ĭommon arguments against consistent use of the serial comma: Its use is consistent with other means of separating items in a list (for example, when semicolons are used to separate items, one is always included before the last item).It can resolve ambiguity (see examples below).Use of the comma is consistent with the conventional practice of the region.Arguments for and against Ĭommon arguments for consistent use of the serial comma: There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity, and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity. This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or Oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of Oxford University Press." The Oxford Companion to the English Language notes: "Usage varies as to the inclusion of a comma before and in the last item. However, the University of Oxford Style Guide (2014) advises against its use. A few British style guides mandate it, most notably The Oxford Style Manual (hence the name, "Oxford comma"). The Economist Style Guide notes that most British writers use it only where necessary to avoid ambiguity. Most British style guides do not mandate its use. In Canada, the stylebook published by The Canadian Press advises against it. By contrast, the Associated Press Stylebook and The New York Times Style Book advise against it. Government Printing Office Style Manual recommend or mandate it. The APA style, The Chicago Manual of Style, Garner's Modern American Usage, The MLA Style Manual, Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, and the U.S. British English allows constructions with or without this comma, whereas in American English it is common and sometimes even considered mandatory. Opinions among writers and editors differ on whether to use the serial comma, and usage also differs somewhat between regional varieties of English. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as "France, Italy and Spain" (without the serial comma) or "France, Italy, and Spain" (with the serial comma). In English-language punctuation, a serial comma (also called a series comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma) is a comma placed immediately after the penultimate term (i.e., before the coordinating conjunction, such as and or or) in a series of three or more terms. Not to be confused with Oxford Comma (song).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |