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The serial comma (also referred to as the series comma, Oxford comma, [1] or Harvard comma [2]) is a comma placed after the second-to-last term in a list (just before the conjunction) when writing out three or more terms.
All about the Oxford comma, including when it may or may not be necessary.
Some people use the Oxford comma (also known as the Harvard or serial comma). This is a comma before "and" or "or" at the end of a series, regardless of whether it is needed for clarification purposes. For example: X, Y, and Z (with an Oxford comma) X, Y and Z (without an Oxford comma)
The comma-free approach is often used with partial quotations: The report observed "a 45% reduction in transmission rate". A comma is required when it would be present in the same construction if none of the material were a quotation: In Margaret Mead's view, "we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities" to enrich our culture.
Oxford spelling (also Oxford English Dictionary spelling, Oxford style, or Oxford English spelling) is a spelling standard, named after its use by the Oxford University Press, that prescribes the use of British spelling in combination with the suffix -ize in words like realize and organization instead of -ise endings.
The serial comma is also known as the Oxford comma, Harvard comma, or series comma. Although less common in British English, its usage occurs within both American and British English. It is called the Oxford comma because of its long history of use by Oxford University Press. [8]
This style also eschews optional commas in sentences, including the serial comma. Open punctuation also frequently drops apostrophes. [7] Open punctuation is used primarily in certain forms of business writing, such as letterhead and envelope addressing, some business letters, and résumés and their cover letters. [5]
The "serial" comma is not, no; here (UK) it's called the "Oxford" comma, and is both very widely used and supported. James F. 12:38, 15 Sep 2004 (UTC) It's also known as the "Harvard" comma, in case anyone is wondering. I suspect "serial" comma is used to avoid implications of primarily British or American usage. — Jeff Q 07:26, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)