Use of commas As explained above, using an Oxford comma for lists is optional but recommended.
Most, including The Chicago Manual of Style, strongly recommend its use, since it prevents ambiguity. The Associated Press Stylebook, meanwhile, suggests avoiding Oxford commas—except in instances where including the comma prevents confusion.
Where Is the Controversy? Some people prefer to only use the Oxford comma when the sentence would otherwise be ambiguous. Other people prefer to use the Oxford comma in every list, regardless of whether the sentence is ambiguous without it.
Typically, in Australian English, we only use an Oxford comma when a list would be unclear without one, such as in the example sentence above. In American English, it is often standard to use an Oxford comma in lists.
General works in British English (such as newspapers and fiction) tend to omit the Oxford comma. Indeed, it is even sometimes taught in British schools that using it is 'wrong'. However, worldwide, academic publishers are more likely to recommend its use. This is because, as described, it can help to avoid ambiguity.
A poll conducted by the website fivethirtyeight.com showed a narrow difference in opinion; 57 percent of people surveyed preferred lists that used an Oxford comma, while 43 percent found it unnecessary. Those who rated their grammar skills highly were more likely to prefer it.
Yes, APA language guidelines state that you should always use the serial comma (aka Oxford comma) in your writing.
According to Stephen Alomes, a professor of Australian studies at Deakin University, the chant represents "enthusiasm for the tribe" and a "celebration of 'us' ", but at the extreme may act as a symbol of aggressive nationalism and xenophobia.
Australia/New Zealand
Also in Australia, the word bloody is frequently used as a verbal hyphen, or infix, correctly called tmesis as in "fanbloodytastic". In the 1940s an Australian divorce court judge held that "the word bloody is so common in modern parlance that it is not regarded as swearing".
“G'day” What does it mean? General greeting, used instead of “hello”, both day and night. Often combined with “mate”, as in…
Short answer: It's purely a matter of style and you can use it or not. But beware of the effect that appositives can have on your use! Long answer: The serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma) is the optional comma used before the last and in a list of items.
So, the serial or Oxford comma is the comma you put before an 'and' or 'or' in a list of at least three things. The Oxford comma ensures that it's exactly clear what you mean. Leaving it out can cause a lot of confusion!
The serial comma (aka Oxford comma or Harvard comma) is a term that describes the use of a comma before the conjunction in a list of three or more items (e.g., the comma before “and” in “pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon”). The name comes from the fact that it's used in a series (list).
"The so-called 'Oxford comma' is an optional comma that follows the penultimate item in a list of three or more items and precedes the word 'and' … The general rule is that it should be used consistently or not at all …
Confusing: I have invited my parents, Lloyd and Marilyn. Note: Without the Oxford comma, it is not clear whether Lloyd and Marilyn are the parents or separate invitees. In other words, it is not clear if there are four invitees or two. Better: I have invited my parents, Lloyd, and Marilyn.
Woop Woop is used to refer to a place in the middle of nowhere. People use it to signify that a location is far away, unfamiliar to them, and difficult to get to.
An Australian classic, “no worries” is often said instead of “that's alright” or “it was no trouble”. Similarly, you might hear “no dramas”, which means the same thing. If you thank someone for helping you and they say “no worries” or “no dramas” it means it was no problem for them to assist you.
In the normal Cockney manner, the final 'g' and the opening 'h' were dropped to produce something that sounded like "flamin-orror" and that in turn over the years became "Flamin' Nora!"...or "Bloody Nora" as a stronger alternative. So Nora wasn't a person at all but the result of an accent.
Though it is not as common as it once was, “sheila” is the Australian slang for girl or woman. It originally came from the Irish name Síle, which was exclusively used with women.
Tin-miners' wives or pasty sellers supposedly shouted "Oggy Oggy Oggy" – the response from any hungry miner or labourer would be Oi!, Oi!, Oi!. The chant is also the chorus of a folk song and has always been heard at Cornish rugby matches so this seem another possible origin.
Another classic case of Australians shortening everything. Meaning 'thank you', ta is usually used for the times when you are in a rush or want to send a quick text to show your appreciation for something.
Unlike MLA, APA and Chicago styles, the Associated Press style—the standard style for journalism—does not use the Oxford comma. It sometimes still will be used in cases where its absence could lead to confusion or ambiguity, but by and large, you won't find it in most newspapers or in magazines.
That said, the serial comma—despite its British name—is much more common in American writing than in Britain, Australia, South Africa, or Canada. Americans use the Oxford comma more often, while writers in other countries use it when omitting it would cause confusion.
Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma is one of those crazy annoying loopholes of grammar that defies all rules. In other words, you can use a serial comma or you can leave it out. Either way is acceptable and technically correct.