Be consistent; use that last serial comma or do not, but don't go both ways.

In some circumstances using the serial comma can create ambiguity.

Journalists typically do not use the serial comma, possibly for economy of space.

The style that always uses the serial comma may be less likely to result in ambiguity.

Opinions among writers and editors differ on whether to use the serial comma.

The following style guides support mandatory use of the serial comma:

The serial comma does not eliminate all confusion.

Common arguments for consistent use of the serial comma:

In the following languages, the serial comma is not the norm and may go against punctuation rules:

Adding a serial comma removes this ambiguity.

But when you hear people arguing about the serial comma or the overuse of dashes, theyre probably editors.

I found neither, nor did I find the common editorial term serial commas in the Index, which seems a little thin.

Writers who normally avoid the serial comma often use one in these circumstances, though sometimes re-ordering the elements of such a list can help as well.

The Herald does not employ the serial comma, and favors the word "said" after a quote over "mentioned", "pointed out", etc.

Also known as the "serial comma," it is often used in lists before a coordinating conjunction to avoid sometimes unintentionally amusing ambiguity.

The KJV does use the serial comma.

The Times abhors such serial commas, while The New Yorker adores them.

Your passion for correct grammar and syntax is well known, but you have yet to inform the American people of your position on the serial comma.

The term Commacide is used in reference to the popular misuse, and lack of use, of the Oxford or serial comma.

(serial comma used)

Many commas are discretionary, as in the case of the serial comma or the comma following a short introductory adverbial phrase.

Between items in a series or listing containing internal punctuation, especially parenthetic commas, where the semicolons function as serial commas.

A writer who intends a list of three distinct people (Betty, maid, cook) may create an ambiguous sentence, regardless of whether the serial comma is adopted.

The serial comma is also known as the Oxford comma, Harvard comma, or series comma.

For instance, The Times disagrees with Strunk and White on the serial comma (a.k.a. the “Oxford comma”).

In fact, you would have no difficulty finding the series comma used at any college or professional division editing department at any major New York publisher.

The serial comma is also known as the Oxford comma, Harvard comma, or series comma.

In English language punctuation, a serial comma or series comma (also called Oxford comma and Harvard comma) is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (usually and, or, or nor) in a series of three or more terms.

Independent readers will, of course, know what an Oxford comma actually is.

The Oxford comma, on the other hand, does make a difference in clarity.

The Oxford comma is what separates us from the animals."

It has lent its name to the Oxford comma.

See, the problem people have with the Oxford comma is that it puts a pause where some think one doesn't belong.

As anyone who's ever struggled with punctuating a long list knows, the Oxford comma can come in really handy.

But have no fear, comma-philes: the Oxford comma lives.

Rumors of the death of the Oxford comma have been greatly exaggerated.

Some people do not use Oxford commas: "cows, horses, pigs and sheep".

A comma that is used before the word and in a list is called an Oxford comma.

The Oxford comma, thought by some to be an annoying punctuation foible, appears in a list of multiple items before the "and."

The author who writes that he'd like "to thank my children, Deborah and God" might benefit from the Oxford comma.

Robert Forster described "Oxford Comma" as the "best song of the last five years".

This is seen most famously in the so-called Oxford comma — the one that goes after the second-to-last item in a series.

Guides to correct style differ and the issue became heated on Twitter after reports of the Oxford comma's demise.

In "Oxford Comma," we thought that some of the lines had something in common, maybe rhythmically, with hiphop.

Also, its slightly troubling lack of an Oxford comma is offset, just barely, by it use of both a colon and a semicolon.

Goodbye, Oxford comma?

The Oxford comma before "and" is considered incorrect ("red, yellow and blue" is the proper format).

Its simplified grammar, such as dropping the Oxford comma and using figures for all numbers above nine, saves scarce print and web space.

One example of its importance in the life at St. B's would be the Oxford Comma, which, as the school sees it, is most certainly required.

The serial comma is also known as the Oxford comma, Harvard comma, or series comma.

A comma used in such a position is variously called a serial comma, an Oxford comma, or a Harvard comma (after the Oxford University Press and Harvard University Press, both prominent advocates of this style).

In English language punctuation, a serial comma or series comma (also called Oxford comma and Harvard comma) is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (usually and, or, or nor) in a series of three or more terms.