The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is one of the most hotly debated punctuation marks in the English language. Some people swear by it, while others think it's unnecessary. This guide will break down what it is, why it's so controversial, and when you should use it.

What Is the Oxford Comma?

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of three or more items. It comes right before the "and" or "or."

Without the Oxford comma: "I love my parents, Lady Gaga and Humpty Dumpty."
With the Oxford comma: "I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty."

As you can see from that famous example, the Oxford comma can make a big difference in the meaning of a sentence. In the first sentence, it sounds like the writer's parents are Lady Gaga and Humpty Dumpty. In the second sentence, it's clear that the writer loves three separate things: their parents, Lady Gaga, and Humpty Dumpty.

The Great Debate

Team Oxford Comma (Pro)

People who love the Oxford comma argue that it provides clarity and removes ambiguity. They say it's better to be safe than sorry.

Team No Oxford Comma (Con)

People who are against the Oxford comma argue that it's often unnecessary and can make sentences look cluttered. They say that in most cases, the meaning is clear without it.

When to Use It

Different style guides have different rules.

Chicago Manual of Style and MLA: These style guides, which are common in academic writing, require the Oxford comma.
AP Stylebook: This style guide, which is used by most journalists, advises against using the Oxford comma.

The bottom line: If you're writing for a specific publication or a class, check their style guide. If you're not, the most important thing is to be consistent.

Why Clarity Is Key

The main goal of the Oxford comma is to avoid confusion.

Another example:

Without: "For breakfast, I had toast, eggs and orange juice." (This could be read as eggs and orange juice being a single item.)
With: "For breakfast, I had toast, eggs, and orange juice." (This makes it clear that there are three separate items.)

A Quick Test

To decide if you need an Oxford comma, ask yourself: "Could this sentence be misunderstood without it?" If the answer is yes, you should probably use one.

Test Yourself

Decide whether you would use an Oxford comma in these sentences:

I'd like to thank my parents, Oprah and God.
The school offers courses in math, science and English.
The flag is red, white and blue.
For dinner, we had steak, potatoes and salad.
The company's values are integrity, honesty and respect.

Answer Key:

Yes. Without it, it sounds like your parents are Oprah and God.
It's not strictly necessary for clarity here, but it's a good idea for consistency.
No. The meaning is clear without it.
It's not strictly necessary, but it can add clarity.
It's not strictly necessary, but it's good practice.

Final Thoughts

The Oxford comma is a small thing, but it can make a big difference. While the debate will likely rage on, the most important thing is to be clear and consistent in your writing. When in doubt, using the Oxford comma is usually the safer bet to avoid any potential confusion.

The Oxford Comma