What is the Oxford comma in a list of three items? (2023)

What is the Oxford comma in three items?

When joining three or more items in a list, use commas to distinguish the words, phrases, or clauses in the series. Be sure to use an Oxford comma before the conjunction.

How many commas do you use when listing 3 things?

As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items, commas should separate each element of the list. However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and—is optional. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. Whether or not you use the serial comma is a style choice.

What is the Oxford comma in a list within a list?

In a list of three or more items, the last comma is called the Oxford comma (or the serial comma). For example, in He bought eggs, milk, and bread, there's a comma between each item listed. The comma before and is the Oxford comma. Not all style guides agree on whether to use the Oxford comma.

Do you use an Oxford comma with only two items?

Please note: You never use an Oxford comma if the list only contains two items, except if it is to stop confusion. However, if there is confusion: I love the music of Buddy Holly and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

What is an Oxford comma example?

The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. Please bring me a pencil, eraser, and notebook. The Oxford comma is the one right after eraser. The use of the Oxford comma is a matter of style, meaning that some publishing styles stipulate its use while others don't.

Do you need a comma in a list of 3 with and?

The comma before “and” (or comma before “or”) at the end of a list is optional. It's referred to as an Oxford comma or serial comma. Most academic style guides recommend adding it (“salt, pepper, and paprika”). But it's also not a grammatical error to write a list without it (“salt, pepper and paprika”).

How do you use commas in a list of three examples?

Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series. This means that when three or more items are being listed in a sentence, a comma goes between each item in the list. For example: John went to the grocery store and bought bread, milk, butter, macaroni and cheese.

How do you punctuate a list of three?

○ Whenever you have three or more items in a series, each item requires punctuation to separate it from the others. Depending on the complexity of the list, you can use either commas or semicolons - we explore this further in other handouts.

What is the rule 3 comma?

Comma Rule 3 probably doesn't sound like fun, but it is. It goes by some boring and very technical names (appositive, non-restrictive clause, interrupter). The basic idea, though, is easy: Use a pair of commas when your voice drops. One comma takes your voice down, and another brings your voice back up.

Is there an Oxford comma before and in a list?

The comma before 'and' (or comma before 'or') at the end of a list is optional. It's referred to as an Oxford comma or serial comma. Most academic style guides recommend adding it ('salt, pepper, and paprika'). But it's also not a grammatical error to write a list without it ('salt, pepper and paprika').

How do you put commas in a list within a list?

Separate items in lists of nouns or adjectives with commas

Use commas between items in a sentence list. Avoid using a comma before the last item in the list. This rule applies to sentence lists and sentence fragments in bullet lists. Do not punctuate the end of a list item with a comma if it is in a bullet list.

Is the Oxford or serial comma the final comma in a list of things?

Commas are used to set off three or more items in a list. The final comma before the conjunction is known as a serial, or Oxford comma. Using an Oxford comma is a stylistic choice, not a rule; however, most style guides still require the use of the Oxford comma to avoid confusion.

What is an example of an Oxford comma with two words?

Oxford Comma Rules

The second to the last word is followed by the conjunction and or or. According to the Oxford comma rule, the Oxford comma must be placed before the conjunction. I can have apples, oranges, or grapes.

Why wouldn't you use an Oxford comma?

Clarity and precision

It is therefore important for removing potential ambiguity that can spoil the clarity and elegance of your writing. In the example we gave above, the version without the Oxford comma could be interpreted as meaning that one of the girl's favourite foods was “cake and chicken” mixed together.

What is an Oxford comma for dummies?

The Oxford comma is, you guessed it, a comma! It's placed in a series of three or more items before the coordinating conjunction. (You'll also see it called a series comma or a serial comma.) It can be used in both "and" and "or" lists as the last comma separating a series of items.

How do you use Oxford commas in an essay example?

An Oxford comma, also sometimes referred to as the 'serial comma', is a comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before 'and' or 'or'.” For example, He went to the market to buy eggs, cheese, and bread. In the sentence above, there's a comma between each item listed.

Why do people like the Oxford comma?

Proponents say it provides clarity, and critics say it provides redundancy. It goes by “serial” and “Oxford,” for the Oxford University Press style guide, which advocates for the serial comma (even though it's generally more common in American English usage than British English).

How should you use commas and semicolons when a list has three or more items?

Usually, we use a comma to separate three items or more in a list. However, if one or more of these items contain commas, then you should use a semicolon, instead of a comma, to separate the items and avoid potential confusion.

What punctuation mark do you use between items in a list of three or more items?

When listing three or more items, include a serial comma (also known as an Oxford comma) before the last item and the conjunction “and” or “or.” If one or more clauses contains commas in them, use a semicolon instead of a comma to separate the clauses.

When did the Oxford comma become a thing?

The big shift in this thinking came in 1905, when a printer named Horace Hart updated his style guide for Oxford University Press, requiring his employees to use a comma before the last item in a series.

What are the three 3 most used punctuation marks?

Period, question mark, and exclamation point

These three commonly used punctuation marks are used for the same reason: to end an independent thought.

How do you punctuate multiple lists in a sentence?

Items in lists are usually separated with commas. However, if the list items themselves contain commas, then semicolons can be used as separators to outrank those commas. But according to your question, if the contents of the list are actually separate things, then it makes sense to use commas.

Do you put a comma before three dots?

There is no need to put a comma before an ellipsis or a period after it because they aren't being used to show omitted words. And remember, an ellipsis only has three dots!

What is the comma trick?

1. If you create a new thought and either start it or end it with a comma, the parent thought name (and name of the parent of the parent if the comma trick was also used at that level, and so on ..) will automatically be added to the thought name.

What is the rule for multiple commas?

Use two commas, not one, to set off a nonrestrictive clause in the middle of a sentence. Incorrect: The city, a polyglot of different races and religions provided many opportunities for cultural exchange. Correct: The city, a polyglot of different races and religions, provided many opportunities for cultural exchange.

When not to use a comma?

Do you put a comma before but in a list?

Short answer: sometimes, but not always. The way to work this out is to look at the two parts of the sentence this punctuation mark is separating. The basic rule is this: you should put a comma before “but” only when it is connecting two independent clauses.

Do you put a comma after each item in a list?

When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next. The final two items in the list are usually separated by "and" or "or", which should be preceeded by a comma. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the "Oxford Comma".

Are commas used to separate items in a list?

When writing a list, you should put a comma between each item, except for the last item where you use 'and'. For example: "I need to go to the supermarket to buy eggs, milk, bread, sugar and orange juice."

Where does the comma go in this sentence?

Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. Example: In the beginning, there was light. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

What is an example of an Oxford comma ambiguity?

When we add an Oxford comma, we actually end up with a more ambiguous meaning: “Joe went to the store with his father, Superman, and Wonder Woman.” Now it reads as if Joe's father might be Superman. The Oxford comma has introduced exactly the type of ambiguity that it helped remove in the original example!

Why do some professionals not want to use the Oxford comma?

Arguments Against Using the Oxford Comma

Many magazine publishers renounce its use as well, because sentences loaded with commas take up valuable page space. Many also think that if adequate conjunctions are used in sentences, there really isn't a need for a comma. Consider the following example.

Should I use Oxford comma on resume?

Should you use the Oxford comma in your resume or stick with standard American usage? Not everyone is a fan of the Oxford comma, but it can help to clear up ambiguity in lists, as we see in that linked legal case. But whatever you decide, be consistent throughout your resume and cover letter.

What is it called when you use 3 commas?

history - Origin of the "triple comma" or "comma ellipsis": ",,," - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange.

Which of the following is rule 3 of the comma rules?

Rule 3: Put a comma after an introductory expression that does not flow smoothly into the sentence. It may be a word, a group of words, or a dependent clause. Yes, I'll go.

Why is the Oxford comma controversial?

The use of the Oxford comma, many people argue, is overly pedantic, and in some situations, its use can sound pompous and hypercorrect. It is usually perfectly possible to discern the meaning of a sentence without it.

What is the comma listing rule?

Use a listing comma in a list wherever you could conceivably use the word and (or or) instead. Do not use a listing comma anywhere else. Put a listing comma before and or or only if this is necessary to make your meaning clear.

Can you have three commas in one sentence?

Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence. Therefore there is no limit on the number of commas that we may use in a sentence.

Is 3 commas legit?

3Commas is a comprehensive platform with all the tools and functionality needed for traders looking for advanced trading options or automated trading. I like that 3Commas has solutions for just about any type of serious trader.

What are the 4 types of commas?

There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas. A listing comma can always be replaced by the word and or or: Vanessa seems to live on eggs, pasta and aubergines.

What is the 5th comma rule?

5. Use a comma before a quotation when an introductory phrase with a word like say or reply precedes the quotation. More on punctuation of quotes... Wilbur says, “It's not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer” (White 184).

Why are people getting rid of Oxford comma?

Many opponents of the Oxford comma claim that it makes a piece of writing sound more pretentious and stuffy, and that it can make things seem cluttered and redundant. Many magazine publishers renounce its use as well, because sentences loaded with commas take up valuable page space.

Why do people want to get rid of the Oxford comma?

While the serial comma does help clarify lists, it can interfere with good sentence composition and flow. Many journalists are against it for this reason. Some even argue that it makes for lazy writing or clutters the piece with unnecessary punctuation.