The Serial Comma

Do you know what the serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma) is? Some people use it, some people are against it, and it's used less and less as time goes on.

I personally use it and think it should be used everywhere.

The serial comma is a comma placed before the final conjunction in a list of three or more items/phrases. For example: My favorite fruits are pineapple, strawberry, and watermelon. I used a comma before the final conjunction (and in that sentence) in the list of my favorite fruits.

The reason you want to use this comma is because it makes listing three or more items make more sense. If you write "The cheeses on the table are swiss, cheddar, gouda and parmesan," you could mean "The cheeses on the table are swiss, cheddar, with gouda and parmesan mixed together." It's better to have a comma after the second-to-last item listed.

And from what I know, it's grammatically correct.

So instead, you should write "The cheeses on the table are swiss, cheddar, gouda, and parmesan."

But note something. Do not use the serial comma when listing fewer than three items. Don't say, "This book is written in English, and Spanish." The comma doesn't work there. Stick with writing "English and Spanish."

Also, use the serial comma should be used in a list of phrases or sentences. My favorite fruit is pineapple, my second-favorite fruit is strawberries, and my third-favorite fruit is watermelon.

Make sense? If not, ask me about this in the comment form below.