Fair enough.

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Dec 12, 2014
11:23:36am

dilbert

Fair enough.

You make a good point: because it is so easy to annoy grammar Nazis, there are many simple ways to accomplish that objective. The Oxford comma is merely one of them.

My point was that since using the Oxford comma only costs a single extra key-stroke, there is essentially no downside to employing it frequently in one's efforts to tweak the English major types.

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dilbert

Bio page: dilbert
Joined: Oct 4, 2004
Last login: Jun 6, 2024
Total posts: 36,221 (16,710 FO)

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Messages

Author

Time

FYI: if you use the Oxford comma and put two spaces after a period, you're doing

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:27am

I don't respect anyone who doesn't use the Oxford comma.

chago04

12/12/14 9:29am

Can we compromise? Do you put 2 spaces after a period?

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:30am

Yes, I do. I am a traditionalist.

chago04

12/12/14 9:30am

Do you yell at kids to get off your lawn too?

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:31am

I have a rock lawn to keep those snot nosed buggars away.

chago04

12/12/14 9:32am

Nice. do you water the weeds that grow between the rocks?

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:37am

If so, he probably does this too.

Seito107

12/12/14 10:23am

Always

BYUMizzou

12/12/14 9:30am

agreed...2 spaces and the oxford comma is just not necessary...

ds7

12/12/14 10:17am

It depends on whether I am using my antique typewriter or...

AggieWeekendCougar

12/12/14 10:39am

There are plenty of major law firms who have a preference for not using the

byuwahoo

12/12/14 4:31pm

Oxford commas are fun, engaging, and needed. I prefer more spaces after

CDV

12/12/14 9:29am

dang it. I had 4 spaces between those two sentences and CB removed them.

CDV

12/12/14 9:31am

Use   to force extra spaces.

El Jefe

12/12/14 9:57am

Thanks!

CDV

12/12/14 10:02am

Single spacer here, but serial commas are more accurate than Oxfords...

Florwood

1/29/15 9:27am

Jay, you're misinformed, in error, and just plain wrong. I mean that in the

BYUMizzou

12/12/14 9:29am

Not in error, wrong and misinformed. I am doing what is correct.

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:31am

I was always taught that the oxford comma is neither correct or incorrect. It

workindev

12/12/14 9:35am

It make things clearer, but to each their own.

Mikey

12/12/14 9:37am

You are correct, the Oxford comma is very useful.

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:52am

The problem with doing it this way is that the reader doesn't know if wrong and

Chester Copperpot

12/12/14 9:44am

As written, Jay is saying that he's not in error, but is wrong and misinformed.

Byron McNertney

12/12/14 10:05am

I'm a big fan of the oxford comma. But I'd like to know when the spaces after a

workindev

12/12/14 9:32am

If you still type on a Typewriter use 2 spaces. Or if you use a typewriter font

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:34am

<< Deleted >>

Skipshot

12/12/14 9:41am

Here's the AP memo from 2012

Finngirl

12/12/14 10:06am

Sure, but does the AP have the authority to make that call?

dilbert

12/12/14 10:14am

<< Deleted >>

Abe Froman

12/12/14 10:41am

Yep

dilbert

12/12/14 10:56am

IT'S THE FREAKIN' AP. <----- that's the authority

Finngirl

12/12/14 11:22am

I only omit the Oxford comma when I write for the AP

Dread Pirate Westley

12/12/14 12:55pm

Meh... that is just to save space in journalistic writing.

2 Tru Blue

12/12/14 12:31pm

The AP style stinks. Don't know their position on the Oxford comma,

12/12/14 1:24pm

Oxford comma FTW. I use 2 spaces for work docs, 1 for everything else.

benny1982

12/12/14 9:37am

Neither is wrong. Consistency in use is appropriate, needed, and prudent.

CocaColaRecovery

12/12/14 9:37am

RE: FYI: if you use the Oxford comma and put two spaces after a period, you're

12/12/14 9:38am

Oxford commas are dank, pusillanimous, and just plain mendacious.

12/12/14 9:38am

A very loquacious description

Jam Master J

12/12/14 9:42am

RE: FYI: if you use the Oxford comma and put two spaces after a period, you're

Dread Pirate Westley

12/12/14 9:40am

Who gives a yewt about an Oxford comma

STLcoug

12/12/14 9:42am

apparently lots of people do.

JayOwen

12/12/14 9:45am

lots of people with plenty of spare time on their hands

Skipshot

12/12/14 9:48am

No. People who get paid to write things that have to be very precise.

12/12/14 9:58am

I've seen those English dramas, too, they're cruel

McFrosty

12/12/14 10:01am

worthless POTD

Skipshot

12/12/14 9:42am

Period: agreed. Comma: I thought that was a personal preference.

12/12/14 9:49am

As long as you use the three period technique multiple times per post...

Fdnman

12/12/14 9:52am

What about people who use three commas,,, is that okay too?

El Jefe

12/12/14 9:58am

I think it's cute when grammar Nazi's claim the rules of correct English

dilbert

12/12/14 9:52am

Hate the Oxford comma; too much extra work.

BYUBandfan

12/12/14 10:00am

What did I learn in Sunday School today? The KJV of the Bible uses the

BYUBandfan

12/14/14 9:38pm

thanksforthesuggestioni'llmake sureidisgregardstandardgrammat icalconventionsnowon

workinglate

12/12/14 10:03am

I side with Vampire Weekend on the subject

RisinUp

12/12/14 10:05am

...just listened to that this morning

Pete

12/12/14 10:08am

You shut your mouth.

cougfanblue

12/12/14 10:07am

The truth hurts.

JayOwen

12/12/14 10:12am

So does one of my backhand slaps.

cougfanblue

12/12/14 10:13am

Better a bony hand than a Jewel encrusted hand.

JayOwen

12/12/14 10:17am

I've recently started to use that comma. I previously thought it was ridiculous

Belboz

12/12/14 10:18am

Using the comma and two spaces means your paper can be that much shorter.

93 cougar

12/12/14 10:23am

The great thing about the Oxford comma, and the main reason why I like to use

dilbert

12/12/14 11:01am

Yes. There is. The oxford comma is in the top 5. Would you agree?

JayOwen

12/12/14 11:03am

Fair enough.

dilbert

12/12/14 11:23am

The reason the Oxford comma is so useful is because it's correct.

El Jefe

12/12/14 11:29am

Next you'll tell me that I shouldn't capitalize the first letter in a sentence.

HighHorse

12/12/14 11:15am

Yes--but what is your opinion on the Em dash?

2 Tru Blue

12/12/14 12:25pm

I don't have any problems with the Em or En dash.

JayOwen

12/12/14 2:17pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S erial_comma#Ambiguity

jayriggity

12/12/14 3:55pm

I highly prefer two spaces after the end of a sentence, for readability

byuwahoo

12/12/14 4:33pm

realize this discussion "ended" hours ago, but here's why I prefer that comma

Breaded Hamster

12/12/14 9:09pm

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