Serial comma

The serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma and Harvard comma) is the final comma used before a conjunction, such as "and" or "or", in a list of three or more items. The phrase "ham, chips, and eggs" is written with a serial comma, but "ham, chips and eggs" is not.

Related Topics:
Comma - Conjunction - And - Or

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The main justification for the serial comma is to reduce ambiguity, although both its absence and its use can, in fact, produce it. The use or omission of the serial comma also produce different rhythms or paces in a sentence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The terms "Oxford comma" and "Harvard comma" come from Oxford University Press and Harvard University Press, where use of the serial comma is the house style.

Related Topics:
Oxford University Press - Harvard University Press

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~