Gateway to Grammar: The Oxford Comma.

Using the Oxford Comma is a choice, but I would argue it is a choice that makes a lot of sense, and can avoid some very strange misunderstandings.

Take this for example:

• Without the Oxford Comma: “Let’s eat Grandma”

• With the Oxford Comma “Let’s eat, Grandma”

Without the Oxford Comma you could think people are making sinister plans to eat Grandma. Wonderfully Halloween themed, but a little inappropriate, especially if you ARE Grandma. The Oxford comma separates the idea from the person here, and makes it clear that these two concepts are not related. You are encouraging Grandma to eat with you.

Here is another example:

• Without the Oxford Comma “It was my Birthday party. I invited my parents, Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian”

• With the Oxford Comma: “It was my Birthday party. I invited my parents, Angeline Jolie, and Kim Kardashian”

• Reading this without the Oxford comma it sounds like you invited two people to your party. You invited Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian who are also your parents. With the Oxford Comma it is clear that there are four people at your party, your two parents, Kim and Angelina.

In order to make it clear Kim and Angelina are not your parents, I would encourage you to use the Oxford Comma to separate ideas.