Proofreading Course
The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course Blog
  • Home
  • Proofreading Course
  • About the Author
  • Reviews
    • FAQ
  • Proofreading Exercises
  • Proofreading Stuff
    • How to Become a Proofreader
    • Proofreading Marks AKA Proofreading Symbols
    • Proofreading Test
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Store

4/14/2020

A proofreader's guide to the Oxford comma

1 Comment

Read Now
 
A proofreader's guide to the Oxford comma

A proofreader's guide to the Oxford comma

Well, this is going to be a short blog post.

What? A short blog post about the Oxford comma?

Yes.

The same Oxford comma that has had grammarians at each other’s throats for decades?

Yes.

The Oxford comma Horace Hart introduced during his time as printer and controller of Oxford University Press from 1893 to 1915?

Yes, that Oxford comma.

The same Oxford comma that was identified and named by Peter Sutcliff in his 1978 book about the Oxford University Press?

Yes.

The same Oxford comma that Sutcliff attributed to F. Howard Collins, who wrote about it in his seminal work ‘Author & Printer: A Guide for Authors, Editors, Printers, Correctors of the Press, Compositors, and Typists’?

Yep. That one.

A short blog post? About the Oxford comma?

Yes, yes and thrice yes.

Here we go.

As we discussed in our earlier post 'A Proofreader's Guide to Grammar' (you can read it by clicking here), as a proofreader, your job is identify errors and not enter heated debates about ‘good, better, best’ issues of literacy.

The use of an Oxford comma (sometimes called a Harvard comma or serial comma) is largely a matter of opinion and taste. Some people just like the Oxford comma. Just like some people love olives and some people think those pungent little blobs of stone-concealing disgustingness belong in the garbage.

So, if the person who’s document your proofreading likes and uses the Oxford comma, that really is the end of the matter. If the style guide created or used by the publisher or company you’re proofreading for favours the Oxford comma then, again, that really is the end of the matter. The Oxford comma is in and the Oxford comma remains.

Likewise, if an author, publisher company do not favour the Oxford comma or employ a style guide that doesn’t favour the Oxford comma (e.g. The Associated Press Stylebook), then the Oxford comma is a no-no.

It doesn’t matter how much you love or loathe the Oxford comma. It’s not your call. Sorry. It’s a mean ole world.

But there are exceptions.

There are – as far as I know – no situations where an Oxford comma has caused a grammatical or semantical problem. Opposition to the Oxford comma is largely based upon its inelegance. It can be seen as visually cluttering a sentence. But – as the Dude once said – well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

​There are, however, occasions when the lack of an Oxford comma can be problematic.

When an Oxford Comma can be Problematic

EXAMPLE:

I was sat in the hospital waiting room for three hours with my wife, a drunk and a drug addict.

This makes it seems like my wife is a drunk and a drug addict.

OXFORD COMMA TO THE RESCUE:
​
I was sat in the hospital waiting room for three hours with my wife, a drunk, and a drug addict.

Opponents of the Oxford comma might suggest restructuring the sentence to avoid the need for an Oxford comma, at all:

My wife and I were sat in the hospital waiting room for three hours with a drunk and a drug addict.

​But it’s really a matter of opinion.

And that's it: a proofreader's guide to the Oxford comma. I told you it wouldn't take long.

Share

1 Comment
Tess Chedsey link
6/3/2020 01:28:08 pm

Well, thank you. That settles that once and for all.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Details
    Testimonials
    “I am one of those many fools who paid a huge amount of money for a useless course. This book... has opened so many doors for me. I now look on Mike as my mentor as I embark on a career. Thank you Mike.” 
    Emma Steel, Proofreader and International Structural Editor.

    “ I thoroughly enjoyed the course and am so glad that I decided to take it... the whole experience was invaluable. My proofreading service is now well established and your course played no small part in getting it off the ground.”
    Hache L. Jones, Proofreader.

    “I'd just like to thank you first of all for writing such a great, straight forward eBook, and then going above and beyond what I would even expect as a customer by providing us, completely free of charge, updated versions months later!” 
    Rachel Gee, Trainee Proofreader.

    “What can I say? Worth every penny and then some! God Bless! This a fabulous course.” 
    Teresa Richardson, Proofreader.

    ​“As someone who has effectively been proofreading for thirty years, I found Mike’s No-Nonsense Proofreading Course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of this discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it as the ideal starting point, and much more besides.”

    ​Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader.

    Blog Author

    My name's Mike Sellars and I'm an experienced proofreader and the author of The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course. Click here to find out more about me.

    Proofreading Course Author, Mike Sellars
    My Google+ Profile

    RSS Feed

    The No-Nonsense Proofreading Course

    $53.99
    View Details

    A Fraction of the Cost of Other Proofreading Courses


    NOTE: Stock is currently limited to 10 per day, so we can continue to deliver exceptional after-sales service, answer queries and provide open-door support.


    • Learn to proofread like a professional
    • 30 years of experience distilled into a single easy-to-follow package
    • Over 1,000 pages of FREE bonus eBooks and learning materials
    • 30-day money-back 100% satisfaction guarantee
    • Follow my advice and you will earn your money back in just two hours!
    • Download it now and start learning and earning right away.
    • I operate a virtual 'open door' policy after purchase, generally answering any and all email queries and concerns within 48 hours and usually sooner.


    Credit card and PayPal payments accepted.


    “As someone who has been proofreading for 30 years, I found Mike’s course an invaluable introduction and a very useful practical guide to many aspects of the discipline. I can wholeheartedly recommend it.” Jeremy Meehan, Proofreader.


    Still want to find out more? Click here.

    Proofreading Categories

    All
    A World Without Proofreaders
    A World Without Proof Readers
    Barack Obama Spelling Mistake
    Copy Editing
    Copy Editor
    Digital Proofreading
    Do Proofreaders Need Good Grammar
    Editing
    Embarrassing Spelling Mistakes
    English Usage
    Eye Care
    Freelance Proofreading
    Free Proofreading Course
    Free Proofreading Exercises
    Fun
    Grammar
    Hyphenation Rules
    If Proof Readers Ruled The World
    If Proofreaders Ruled The World
    International Proofreading
    Linguistics
    Merchandise
    Off Topic
    Off-Topic
    Online Proofreading
    Proofreader
    Proof Reader
    Proof Reader Merchandise
    Proof-reader Or Proof Reader
    Proofreaders
    Proof Readers
    Proof Readers Equipment
    Proof Readers\' Equipment
    Proofreading
    Proofreading 101
    Proofreading Advice
    Proofreading And Women
    Proofreading Careers
    Proofreading Course
    Proofreading Course Bulletin
    Proofreading Course Discount
    Proofreading Courses
    Proofreading Ebook
    Proofreading Exercises
    Proofreading Fiction
    Proofreading Job Interview
    Proofreading Jobs
    Proofreading Joke
    Proofreading Qualifications
    Proofreading Resumes
    Proofreading Scam
    Proofreading Software
    Proofreading Test
    Proofreading Testimonials
    Proof Reading Tips
    Proofreading Tips
    Proofreading Vacancies
    Punctuation
    Scam Warning
    Second Edition
    Spell Check
    Spell Checkers
    Spelling Errors
    Spelling Fail
    Spelling Mistakes
    Working From Home

    Proofreading Archives

    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    March 2019
    February 2019
    March 2018
    July 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    November 2013
    August 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

  • Home
  • Proofreading Course
  • About the Author
  • Reviews
    • FAQ
  • Proofreading Exercises
  • Proofreading Stuff
    • How to Become a Proofreader
    • Proofreading Marks AKA Proofreading Symbols
    • Proofreading Test
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Store