Punctuation Tip: Serial Comma

A serial comma is a comma placed before the coordinating conjunction in a series of three or more items.

There are several names for the comma that separates the second-to-last item in a list from a final item that is introduced by "and" or "or."

Though most commonly called the "serial comma," it's also known as the "Harvard comma" and the "Oxford comma" because it is used by the publishers associated with those universities.

Notice the serial comma after "peaches" and "white" in the below examples.

• Joe bought apples, peaches, and pears.
• The American flag is red, white, and blue.

Regions of the world as well as style guides differ on the usage of the serial comma.

In American English, the following style guides mandate the serial comma:

• APA Style
• Greg Reference Manual
• The Chicago Manual of Style
• The MLA Style Manual
• Strunk and White's Elements of Style
• U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary

One American English style guide, the Associated Press Stylebook, advises against the serial comma. Newspapers have traditionally done without it as a way to save space.

Be aware that not using the serial comma can result in some ambiguity.

• Among those interviewed were his two ex-wives, Bruno Mars and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• John Smith's last will and testament divides his estate among his wife, daughter and son.

In many cases, though, no ambiguity arises without the serial comma.

• The house has a big yard, small kitchen and few windows.
• The recipe calls for sugar, butter, cream, salt and vanilla.

The serial comma is optional. Publishers typically take a stand on whether or not to use it, and writers tend to feel strongly one way or the other. Bottom line is to be consistent. Choose a style guide and adhere to it in your written documents.

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