Forums → The Tavern → The Oxford Comma

If it's grammatically correct then its as necessary as any other grammatical rules concerning punctuation.

I use the oxford comma, but I don't think there should be any nitpickiness about whether it is used or not.

It looks better, and it sounds better when speaking bread(pause) milk(pause) and-butter. Instead of bread(pause) milk-and-butter.

many intense grammar nazis argue that the oxford comma is unnecessary and shouldn't be used. so the previous sentence would become this:

i use it, but alot of people and books don't.

It is unnecessary, but it is not really wrong. Fingernails are unnecessary, so should we get rid of them?

I think we should keep it and everyone else should keep it as well because if some people don't, and others do, it could cause confusion.
Plus, it sounds better.

I don't know, I think it's about personal preference.

I'd think that sentences look and sound fine either with or without it, although I tend to use it a lot in my sentences.

alot

Down here it isn't mandatory in every sentence and people exclude it in regular usage. When I used to live in America, you'd always use the comma.

Anyway, in some instances it's preferable and others it isn't.

I use it a lot when I'm typing a list of stuff out. It makes it so much easier to read.

I usually use the comma. But sometimes I don't.

When I used to live in America, you'd always use the comma.

In general, I use the Oxford comma. I'm used to it, so it feels natural to me, but I suppose since it isn't really enforced in school anymore, it's up to personal preference whether one uses it or not.

At least, that was what my English teacher said.

No, in our school, not a lot of people use the comma. Our teachers used to make us, and then a few years ago, they said it wasn't necessary.