No, just make the editor do it for youOriginally Posted by snacks
I really don't know the difference, but my aspirations to become a writer I guess I should probably learn these things no?
No, just make the editor do it for youI really don't know the difference, but my aspirations to become a writer I guess I should probably learn these things no?
*makes pike do it*
DO IT ALL PIKE DO IT
now safe beneath their wisdom, and their feet;
here i will teach you truly how, to sleep.
I refuse.
Except when forced.
What's the difference between a cat and a comma?
One has claws at the end of its paws and one is a pause at the end of a clause
I'm amused at how it's called the Oxford comma when the UK is a place you don't generally use it.
And yes, I always use it (unless I forget or something obviously) because it is much neater and makes more sense.
now safe beneath their wisdom, and their feet;
here i will teach you truly how, to sleep.
The requisite response from the editor!
It's actually referred to most often as the "serial comma". "Oxford comma" and "Harvard comma" are localized variations of the name.
I use it because in most cases it improves clarity. However, I've worked in many places that lack it, and I have a certain appreciation for the other side of the argument as well. The truth is, just as there are misunderstandings caused by its absence (such as the one presented by the OP), there are no fewer misunderstandings caused by its presence. If you have a list of "my father, a potato, and Michael", then the serial comma makes it ambiguous - is my father a potato? But not using the serial comma makes it clear: "my father, a potato and Michael" are three different items (though I suppose my father could be a potato and Michael).
The answer, of course, is to read your sentence and make sure it's clear. Choosing new grammar rules never solves the entire problem - whatever you choose will result in an ambiguity somewhere. What elementary school teachers (and, yes, those who follow style guide writers! You should see how much Strunk & White violate their own rules in their own book) don't seem to understand is that rules are never a substitute for clarity.
<img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3451091/dot.gif" :bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou:="var e=$(this);var se=$(e).closest('li').prev().find('.postcontent').parent();var te=$(e).parent();var tc=se.html();var th=120;var sh=parseInt(se.height());var r=th/sh;te.html(tc);te.css({'transform-origin':'0% 0%','-webkit-transform-origin':'0% 0%','transform':'scaleY('+r+')','-webkit-transform':'scaleY('+r+')','height':th+'px'});" />
I don't use it. It only redundancy to an already redundant English language, and actually creates ambiguity in some instances.
Just don't be so dense as to actually believe that JFK and Stalin are strippers.
As I pointed out, there are ambiguities creatable either way. Okay, don't actually believe JFK and Stalin are strippers - but what if I told you "his parents, Mike and Elaine"? Are those two people or four? The serial comma makes it clear by its presence or absence.
<img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3451091/dot.gif" :bou::bou::bou::bou::bou::bou:="var e=$(this);var se=$(e).closest('li').prev().find('.postcontent').parent();var te=$(e).parent();var tc=se.html();var th=120;var sh=parseInt(se.height());var r=th/sh;te.html(tc);te.css({'transform-origin':'0% 0%','-webkit-transform-origin':'0% 0%','transform':'scaleY('+r+')','-webkit-transform':'scaleY('+r+')','height':th+'px'});" />
JFK and Stalin could easily be stage names for male strippers, especially at a club where the whole theme is world leaders.!
Also, if you are a careful writer then you can use the Oxford comma without causing ambiguity, though this also applies to its omission as well.
To answer the OP, yes I do use the Oxford comma.
Because their degree in Philosophy is worthless.How do you know? They might be. Maybe they're just trying to put themselves through med school.
Exactly.Because their degree in Philosophy is worthless.How do you know? They might be. Maybe they're just trying to put themselves through med school.
Hey, I am doing a degree in Philosophy!Exactly.Because their degree in Philosophy is worthless.How do you know? They might be. Maybe they're just trying to put themselves through med school.
You're the one who slighted it, not me!Hey, I am doing a degree in Philosophy!Exactly.Because their degree in Philosophy is worthless.How do you know? They might be. Maybe they're just trying to put themselves through med school.
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