Thank you, Kondwani! We’re glad this article’s been helpful.

But what if the list isn’t really a list. What if you’re going out with your two brothers who are named Tim and Dave? The ambiguity returns. The only way I can be sure the absence of the comma means exactly two persons in this instance is if I can count on you to use the Oxford comma in all series.

Hi, Don! Thanks for your comment. On the question of British variations catching on in the U.S., the trend tends to be towards wider international adoption of U.S. English conventions due to the dominance of American English globally these days. We tend to notice this most with spellings and vocabulary, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the same is true of punctuation (with the ever-present proviso that things like the Oxford/serial comma are largely a stylistic preference rather than a hard “rule” such as with the common spelling differences between British and American English). It’s even possible that the conventions of punctuation usage in programming will eventually influence how it is used outside of the computing world, as we’ve seen similar things before with spellings: e.g., the U.S. spelling “program” is now used as standard in a computing context in countries have traditionally stuck with the U.K. spelling “programme” in other scenarios (e.g., U.K. English refers to a “programme of events” for a festival or similar, but a “computer program”), but more and more people are now using “program” in these other situations as well, reflecting the growing influence of U.S. English. And with more and more people now working in computer programming or adjacent roles, I imagine it will have a growing influence on the English language over time.

Hi, Jim. Thanks for pointing out the typo (now corrected). And apologies for the issue with comment formatting (it has been reported). In terms of the Oxford comma in American English, it is certainly widespread, with most US-English style guides recommending it (including the Chicago, APA, and MLA style guides). But it isn’t universal, especially in print journalism, where every character counts (e.g., the AP style guide only recommends using it for clarity). As a result, it is still ultimately a matter of style rather than compulsory. But we’d broadly suggest using it as standard when addressing a US audience because it is something many US readers will expect to see.

It appears I can’t use paragraphs in comments. I would never write, “Hi guys, Thanks…” like that in a sentence 🙂 🙂 🙂

I spotted a typo in your copy, Section 2. “The serial comma (also known as the “Oxford comma” in the UK) is a comma placed before the last item in a list of three or more things. Most American English style guies recommend using this comma as standard:”

You’re missing a ‘d’ in ‘guies’.

I surmise from the article that the Oxford comma is considered standard practice for American English – so our copywriters should adopt it if the business insists on American English, correct?

Personally, I’ve never used it. Oh well, language evolves 🙂

Hi, Ben. Most US-English style guides recommend using a serial comma as standard, including APA style, Chicago style, MLA style, Garner’s Modern American Usage, and Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. As such, as a general rule, it is often considered standard in US English, although some style guides, including AP style, do not require use of the serial comma. Ultimately, though, as long as you use it when it’s necessary for clarity (e.g., as in the example given in this post) and you follow the recommendations of whichever style guide you’re using (if you’re using one), it is a matter of personal preference.