Writing

The Last Oxford Comma Debate

The gloves are off, where do you stand?

We asked two editors from Medium, Amy Shearn and Matthew Savener, to debate both sides of the Oxford comma conundrum. Here’s what happened:

The Oxford comma. There may be no single stylistic choice that causes such a wide rift between those of us who work with language. It divides us — writers, editors, and grammarians. Or is it writers, editors and grammarians?

If you’re not a huge word nerd, there’s a chance you’re not familiar with this stuffy-sounding piece of punctuation, so first let’s define it. The Oxford comma (or serial comma) is the last comma in a series of three or more — the comma before the “and” in most cases:

The flag is red, white, and blue.

Some style guides, such as the Chicago Manual of Style, mandate its use. Others, such as the Associated Press, do not:

The flag is red, white and blue.

Which is “right”? Let the debate begin.

Amy Shearn: Here’s one thing I think is important to note about the Oxford comma: It sounds very fancy. Just saying “Oxford comma” can make me forget I went to state schools. Using an Oxford comma is a little bit like wearing red lipstick for no reason or, like, non-sweatpants: It just dresses everything up. So this is obviously an important “pro.”

Matt Savener: It’s also a con! Language should be accessible to all. The most important thing is to be understood, not to be “right.” Which is why I’ve evolved from a pedantic rule-following copy editor to more of a “there are no rules, do what you like” descriptivist over the years. So, as a fellow state-schooler (go Huskers), I thumb my nose at the haughty Oxford comma. I thumb my nose!

Amy: Okay, Bernie Sanders. But look, in addition to my rock-solid proof already provided, I’d like to note that the Oxford comma is required by the Chicago Manual of Style and MLA Style Manual, so if you’re writing or editing for a publication that subscribes to one of those style sheets, just use it. There are rules in society, people.

Matt: On that we can agree. Rules may be overrated, but consistency within a story and publication is not. Consider your readers (and your heroic copy editors): Follow your org’s style guide. That said, I’ll see your Chicago and MLA and raise you the Associated Press and Canadian Press style guides, neither of which mandates the Oxford comma. The AP is easily the most popular style guide in English-speaking mass media. And here’s a fun fact: The University of Oxford style guide does not mandate the Oxford comma either! (Though the university press does.)

Amy: Fair points. Really, to me, the most salient thing about the Oxford comma is that it provides clarity. Remember the case a couple of years ago in which a missing comma led to a lawsuit? This mighty little mark saves us all from slightly lower-stakes confusions every day! If I wrote “I love reading books, and eating snacks, and kittens,” you’d think, “Wow, what a neat and well-rounded lady.” But if I wrote, “I love reading books, and eating snacks and kittens,” you’d think, “Zounds, this troubled soul eats kittens!” If I win a sports game, which you can tell I never would because I call them sports games, I might say, “I’d like to thank my parents, Coach, and God.” Which, weird, but, okay. But if I say “I’d like to thank my parents, Coach and God,” that would imply one of my parents is Coach and the other is God. And that is extremely weird. (But would explain my great athletic abilities.)

Matt: Please don’t eat kittens, Amy. And please do use the Oxford comma when needed to avoid confusion! None of the style guides that don’t use the comma say never use it — they just don’t mandate its use. And while there are many hilarious examples of unfortunate unintended meanings when the comma was omitted, there are also instances where its inclusion can cause confusion. Consider this:

“Jeff, a semicolon, and an Oxford comma walk into a bar. They both have a great time.”

Now, this isn’t an Oxford comma. But your brain thought it was. Without the expectation that the second comma is an Oxford comma, this joke wouldn’t even work.

Amy: Okay, I will grant you that punctuation jokes are important. Another thing I love about the Oxford comma is that it allows for more flexibility. If you’re using it to differentiate items in lists, then you can also purposefully leave it out in order to change the meaning of the list. Options are great. Punctuation can be so unforgiving; why not play with it when we can? Did you like that I used a semicolon there? I sure did.

Matt: Is its name Jeff? But agreed: We should play around with our language, including punctuation; however, that’s also why I love the freedom to use an Oxford comma — or a million em dashes — as I wish.

Amy: Ooh yes — there is nothing quite so lovely as an em dash. Maybe here’s the real truth of why I cherish and honor the blessed Oxford comma. Think like a poet for a second: Punctuation is about breath. Commas are about where you need to pause. So it’s not really that hard to understand where a comma goes in a list or sentence if you just read it out loud and notice where you naturally pause a little. I’m guessing you’re going to end up using the Oxford comma naturally.

Matt: I disagree! I don’t think we should equate commas to pauses/breaths. That’s how we wind up with errant commas, in the middle of sentences. Or you get the dreaded comma splice, where is Jeff when you need him? Oh no, I’m arguing for rules…

Bottom line

Amy: Oxford commas are fancy, important, expressive, flexible, and awesome. I rest my case, your honor. I mean, Matt.

Matt: I actually do love the serial comma (I’m just writing this for the sake of argument). But do what you like!