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The importance of commas (warning: armed and dangerous)

Old_Nick's picture
Posted by Old_Nick on 30 January 2012 - 5:09am.

2

Ah, the old Oxford comma example

I've seen a proliferation of such examples on Facebook this last while. I wonder why it's becoming such a talking point.

0
Henderbeast | 30 January 2012 - 5:35am

I think the Oxford comma is something different.

It's comma before the last item in a list.
For example 'music, television, and books' has an Oxford comma, but 'music, television and books' does not

3
IanP | 31 January 2012 - 2:12pm

tried to up arrow this but karma timeout etc

this is how i really understand it as well - very useful in situations where sentences are full of confusing lists - the one you just cited actually

music television and books (ie MTV and some books) or
music, television and books (two categories perhaps? music and television-and-books) or
music, television, and books (three categories of item under discussion - made clear by use of Oxford comma)

2
Glenbervie | 31 January 2012 - 2:19pm

Punctuation saves lives

0
Brookster | 30 January 2012 - 9:53am

Change the meaning of the sentence totally by using commas...

"People from the north say people from the south are primitive and uncouth"

turns into

"People from the north, say people from the south, are primitive and uncouth"

Punctuation is important, you know.

4
bobness11 | 30 January 2012 - 6:28pm

Sting looks very much like

Freddie Starr in that picture.

I think.

I'll be over there if you need me for anything.

0
Beezer | 30 January 2012 - 9:33pm

As the comedian

said: 'when he retires, is he going to become known as Stung?'

Badoom-tish.

Anywhere here from Brooklyn?

0
MrTaylor | 31 January 2012 - 1:43pm

Is that right

Wouldn't it be 'Stang' if he'd hung up his barbs?

Tap tap. Is this thing on?

0
FakeGeordie | 31 January 2012 - 2:04pm
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