![]() Commas make us pause while we’re reading, but their primary purpose is to clarify our understanding of the relationships between different parts of a sentence. This break is smaller than the full stop indicated by a period. Give it a try for free.Commas are used to clarify meaning by indicating a break in a sentence. With a full module on proofreading errors and handy quizzes to test your knowledge, you’ll get the hang of everything from periods to parentheses. Becoming A Proofreaderįor a full rundown on punctuation rules, look no further than our Becoming A Proofreader course. If rephrasing a sentence would require significant changes to your client’s writing, then it may be better to add an Oxford comma (provided this doesn’t contradict their style guide). Remember, though, you should never edit beyond the scope of the brief when proofreading. The little boy had lost his parents, as well as a teddy bear and an ice cream. If we take the above sentence, for example, we could avoid using an Oxford comma and instead rephrase it like this: They suggest that any ambiguity can be cleared up simply by rephrasing the sentence. However, some language experts argue that an Oxford comma is never necessary. The little boy had lost his parents, a teddy bear, and an ice cream. We can assume this was not the author’s intention, so as proofreaders, we’d fix this sentence by adding a serial comma: The language used here suggests that the boy’s parents are a teddy bear and an ice cream. The little boy had lost his parents, a teddy bear and an ice cream. In these cases, an Oxford comma can clarify the intended meaning: ✔Īnd sometimes, the order or wording of a list can create a different meaning than what the author was trying to convey. We have a choice of red and gold, silver and blue, and gold and silver color schemes. We have a choice of red and gold, silver and blue and gold and silver color schemes. For example, when a list includes compound items formed with a conjunction, a serial comma can break up the sentence in a way that makes sense: Clarity and the Oxford CommaĪn Oxford comma can be useful for clearing up any confusion or ambiguity in a sentence. However, some style guides make exceptions to this rule for clarity. ![]() My mum bakes biscuits, cakes and brownies. My mum bakes biscuits, cakes, and brownies. So, if your client follows a style guide or dialect that doesn’t require an Oxford comma, then serial commas in their writing may need to be removed. While the Oxford comma is usually required in American English, some style guides, like AP style, specifically advise against its use.Īnd, somewhat confusingly, the Oxford comma is not commonly used in UK English (with the exception of Hart’s Rules for the Oxford University Press – where it gets its name from). Whether a writer uses an Oxford comma depends on the style guide they’re following. However, it isn’t always necessary or correct to use an Oxford comma. She owned a dog, two cats, and five budgies. She owned a dog, two cats and, five budgies. If an Oxford comma is used, it should always be placed before a conjunction and the last item in the list: Santa’s other reindeer are called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen. ![]() ![]() I keep my wallet, phone, and keys in my pockets. An Oxford comma, also known as a serial comma, is the final comma placed in a list of three or more items: The Oxford Comma (AKA The Serial Comma)Ĭommas are used to separate items in a list. ![]() In this post, we’ll explain what exactly an Oxford comma is and how you should deal with them as a proofreader. Commas can be a confusing part of punctuation, and the Oxford comma is no exception. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |