To Comma or Not to Comma--The Oxford Comma
- schlesadv
- Aug 20
- 1 min read
Also called the serial comma, the Oxford comma is placed immediately before the conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a series of three or more terms. For example, “My favorite book genres are mystery, historical fiction, and dystopian.” The final comma in the series, just before “and,” is the Oxford comma.
This comma has been used (and omitted) throughout English history, though it was not called the Oxford comma until the early 20th century. In 1905, Horace Hart, a printer for Oxford University Press, laid out a new requirement for his employees: They must include a final serial comma before the last item in a series. Because OUP was highly influential, the comma earned a nickname tied to the university. However, not all printing presses and grammar authorities followed suit — and thus the controversy began.
Today, usage of the Oxford comma remains mixed. Several major American style guides require it,including Chicago, MLA, and APA. The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook — the standardized style for journalism in the U.S. — generally does not. (Word Smarts primarily follows AP style, with a few notable exceptions, including using the Oxford comma.) Interestingly, the University of Oxford Style Guide — distinct from Oxford University Press — does not require it unless it is needed to prevent ambiguity.
Where does that leave questioning writers? Both options are grammatically correct in modern English, so if you aren’t following a specific style guide, it’s up to your personal preference whether or not to include the Oxford comma. Let’s take a closer look at when you might need it and why you would omit it.
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