Oxford comma

(noun)

The comma that comes after the second to last item in a list.

Related Terms

Examples of Oxford comma in the following topics:

  • Overall Structure and Formatting of a Chicago/Turabian Paper

    • The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that comes after the second-to-last item in a series or list.
    • In the above sentence, the comma immediately after "Wales" is the Oxford comma.
    • In general writing conventions, whether the Oxford comma should be used is actually a point of fervent debate among passionate grammarians.

  • Overall Structure and Formatting of an MLA Paper

    • MLA style does not have specific rules for the formatting of series and lists, beyond mandating the use of the Oxford comma.
    • As is standard in most style guides, use semicolons rather than commas to separate the elements of the series if at least one of the elements includes a comma somewhere within it (known as an “internal comma”).
    • The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that comes after the second-to-last item in a series or list.
    • In the above sentence, the comma immediately after "Wales" is the Oxford comma.
    • In general writing conventions, whether the Oxford comma should be used is actually a point of fervent debate among passionate grammarians.

  • Overall Structure and Formatting of an APA Paper

    • The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that comes after the second-to-last item in a series or list.
    • In the above sentence, the comma immediately after "Wales" is the Oxford comma.
    • In general writing conventions, whether the Oxford comma should be used is actually a point of fervent debate among passionate grammarians.

  • When to Use MLA Style

    • For example, MLA style does use the Oxford comma, which some other citation styles (e.g., AP style) do not.

  • When to Use APA Style

    • For example, APA style does use the Oxford comma, which some other citation styles (e.g., AP style) do not.

  • When to Use Chicago/Turabian Style

    • For example, Chicago style does use the Oxford comma, which some other citation styles (e.g., AP style) do not.

  • Introduction to Commas

    • For some adverbs, using a comma is optional.
    • They do not require any commas.
    • Nonrestrictive appositives do require commas.
    • The final comma, the one before and or or, is known as a serial comma (also called the Oxford or Harvard comma).
    • Commas should also be used when writing dates.

  • Common Comma Mistakes

    • By understanding the rules of correct comma usage, you can avoid common comma errors.
    • Comma usage errors fall into two categories: using unnecessary commas and failing to use necessary commas.
    • To avoid making errors when using commas in your writing, you must understand when commas belong (and when they don't).
    • This is called a disruptive comma.
    • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (that is, two complete sentences) are joined only by a comma.

  • Eliminating Comma Splices and Fused Sentences

    • A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (or in other words, two clauses that each express a complete thought and could stand on its own as a full sentence) are joined only by a comma instead of an acceptable form of punctuation, such as a comma with a coordinating conjunction, a period or a semicolon.
    • You can use a coordinating conjunction following the comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
    • Fixing run-on sentences is very similar to fixing comma splices:
    • You can use a coordinating conjunction and a comma, and this also will indicate a relationship.
    • Identify comma splices and list the options for correcting the error

  • APA: Series and Lists

    • If you are including a simple, relatively short list of three to five items within a paragraph—also known as a series—the proper formatting is to: (a) precede the list with a comma, (b) label each item with a lowercase letter enclosed in parentheses, and (c) separate each item with commas or semicolons.
    • As is standard in most style guides, use semicolons rather than commas to separate the elements of the series if at least one of the elements includes a comma somewhere within it (known as an “internal comma”).
    • However, the same rules of capitalization and of using commas or semicolons to separate the elements apply.
    • If this is the case, each element should end with a period, rather than a comma or semicolon, and should begin with a capital letter.