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

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Dec 12, 2014
9:32:13am

workindev

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

period changed. Growing up we were always taught to use 2 spaces. I understand why it's no longer needed with word processing and proportional fonts, but I never got any memo saying it had changed. Old habits die hard -- if I'm writing something that lots of people will read, I still have to search double spaces and replace them with a single space because a bunch still slip through.

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workindev

New username: Skeptical Optimist
Bio page: workindev
Joined: Aug 2, 2006
Last login: Nov 28, 2016
Total posts: 0 (0 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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