Oxford Comma: Yes or No?

[Sanghyeok]

Do you use the Oxford comma? I use it sometimes, but inconsistently. I do like commas very much though. What does everyone here think about the Oxford comma? Should it exist, is it good, or should it be forgotten forever?

[Major-Tom]

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford Comma? I've seen those English Dramas too, they're cruel.

[Kiu Ghesik]

The Oxford Comma is the only proper way to write lists. If you do not use it, you commit a mortal sin, and must be set back on the proper path. Brothers, join with me! We must march on the heathens and enforce the superiority of our doctrine once and for all!

/s

[Glorious Hong Kong]

I almost never used it in the past, but Grammarly keeps correcting me. I use it almost all the time now.

[Sundiata]

Yes.

[Sanghyeok]

The Oxford Comma is the only proper way to write lists. If you do not use it, you commit a mortal sin, and must be set back on the proper path. Brothers, join with me! We must march on the heathens and enforce the superiority of our doctrine once and for all!

/s

I try to use it at times. But sometimes, such as when I forget, or when I don't think it will be a good flow, then I don't use it.

[Empirical Switzerland]

I use it all the time.

[Kiu Ghesik]

The Oxford Comma is the only proper way to write lists. If you do not use it, you commit a mortal sin, and must be set back on the proper path. Brothers, join with me! We must march on the heathens and enforce the superiority of our doctrine once and for all!

/s

I try to use it at times. But sometimes, such as when I forget, or when I don't think it will be a good flow, then I don't use it.

I suppose. I read lists without Oxford commas as having them, anyways, so it's not a big problem for me.

[Middle Barael]

When I was a little kid I remember I’d often get into arguments with others about the use of it (I rightly claimed that it was optional and unnecessary), but now I usually use it, more for aesthetics than for pedantry.

[Darmen]

No. The Oxford Comma only exists because the printer ink companies want your money. Resist the Evil! Resist the Oxford Comma!

(although I will admit that I'm not perfect and it sometimes slips in)

[Doge Land]

I use it all the time because that's what we're taught in the US (For me at least. Link backs it up). It's second nature for me at this point.

[Sanghyeok]

When I was a little kid I remember I’d often get into arguments with others about the use of it (I rightly claimed that it was optional and unnecessary), but now I usually use it, more for aesthetics than for pedantry.

I understand! I have always been criticized for my odd usage of commas (I follow the rules rather inconsistently), my odd spelling choices (I choose between British and US English at times, for example using lift instead of elevator but also tire instead of tyre, and so on), and my odd usage of capitalization (which in English is really weird, in my opinion). But all of them are for aesthetic reasons. I choose the comma if the comma looks good, I choose the spelling that sounds better, I capitalize when it is pretty.

Edit: I also often usage brackets like () in my writing, because I think it looks nice.

[Kowani]

It looks better.

[Sanghyeok]

I use it all the time because that's what we're taught in the US (For me at least. Link backs it up). It's second nature for me at this point.

Is that so? I suppose many users of this site are from the US then. According to polls.

[Shrillland]

I use it all the time outside of work, but only on request during work since the AP Standards don't allow for it.

[Kannap]

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
I've seen those English dramas, too
They're cruel
So if there's any other way
To spell the word, it's fine with me
With me

[Kannap]

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford Comma? I've seen those English Dramas too, they're cruel.

Damn it, I got beat

[Western Fardelshufflestein]

The Oxford Comma is one of the greatest forms of punctuation in existence. I am either thrilled because I see it in use or irked because it's not there. THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN. Unless it is a sentence in which the Oxford Comma is not required, in which case I am fine.

[Sanghyeok]

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
I've seen those English dramas, too
They're cruel
So if there's any other way
To spell the word, it's fine with me
With me

Is this a meme? It's the second time I saw it posted.

[Kannap]

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?
I've seen those English dramas, too
They're cruel
So if there's any other way
To spell the word, it's fine with me
With me

Is this a meme? It's the second time I saw it posted.

Song lyrics (Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend)

As for the actual Oxford comma, I use it all the time.

[Kayermark]

Yes.

Tha-thats it. Just yes.

Always have done, always do.

[Forsher]

Basically never.

Honestly, it looks stupid as hell. And I only use grammar for aesthetic purposes.

[Dumb Ideologies]

I was taught to use it so it looks wrong to me if I don't. Even if it only rarely adds any clarity.

[Agarntrop]

Yes

[Tsaivao]

Yes on the Oxford comma. Why should the penultimate item not have a comma? "I ate beans, rice, and salad" allows you to see there are three distinct concepts that are given equal importance. "I ate beans, rice and salad" seems like the rice or salad is somehow of lesser importance, or that there is some singular food item called "rice and salad" that I have eaten in addition to beans.

In any case it's just typographic aesthetic, and it doesn't have much bearing on anything, but I still prefer Oxford comma