I'm trying to find a good example. OK I think the original example from Language Log was two sentences. "A Panda enters the bar. He eats shoots, and leaves." Is this still a case where the Oxford comma would not be used? If it is, then I'm trying to come up with a case where the Oxford comma would produce a problem. The "Ayne Rand and Jesus example" is a good case for the opposite that sometimes leaving out the Oxford comma can go wrong. But I'm having trouble coming up with one where putting in the Oxford comma would cause a wrong reading.
I can handle the Oz Full Monty. I mean, not 'handle' handle.
Xander ,'Help'
Natter 68: Bork Bork Bork
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Typo Boy - Sep 18, 2011 3:57:00 pm PDT #27000 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.
DebetEsse - Sep 18, 2011 3:59:19 pm PDT #27001 of 30001
Woe to the fucking wicked.
Typo, it's a 2-item list. I've never seen anyone advocate a comma in a 2-item list. I have, however, seen silly people put commas between a verb and direct object (this confuses me greatly), which would be "he eats, shoots and leaves"
Jesse - Sep 18, 2011 3:59:47 pm PDT #27002 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Oxford comma issue would be "He eats, shoots, and leaves." vs. "He eats, shoots and leaves." Assuming an attack panda. The author used the sentence to show the importance of punctuation because actually he eats shoots and leaves. No comma IRL.
§ ita § - Sep 18, 2011 4:01:32 pm PDT #27003 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
I don't think that's an Oxford comma situation either, TB.
What's the deal with Cobie Smulders? Who is she and why do geeks love her so much?
Jesse - Sep 18, 2011 4:02:30 pm PDT #27004 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
She's on How I Met Your Mother and is super pretty?
msbelle - Sep 18, 2011 4:04:05 pm PDT #27005 of 30001
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
I don't find her super pretty. Kinda Hollywood normal.
Jesse - Sep 18, 2011 4:07:24 pm PDT #27006 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Dear Jane Lynch, maybe don't publicly hate a major category in the industry you've been hired to fete?
Typo Boy - Sep 18, 2011 4:08:37 pm PDT #27007 of 30001
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.
So the Oxford comma always works whereas leaving it out means exceptions. That is a great argument for always using the Oxford comma.
§ ita § - Sep 18, 2011 4:12:28 pm PDT #27008 of 30001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.
That is a great argument for always using the Oxford comma.
No, it's a great argument for sometimes using the Oxford comma.
I always use it, but I don't have a pitch about it,
What the fuck is New Girl? That looks as appalling as Whitney.
DavidS - Sep 18, 2011 4:15:39 pm PDT #27009 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
So the Oxford comma always works whereas leaving it out means exceptions. That is a great argument for always using the Oxford comma.
Look the "Oxford comma" is not a mark of punctuation. The comma is. So the only question is whether you need a comma at that point in the sentence to make it clear. You use the comma as necessary.
The Oxford Comma is the hobgoblin of foolish consistency that Emerson warned us against.