Grammar Rules

February 18, 2009 by Chris · 1 Comment
Filed under: Writer's Life

Attribute it to the nuns, who during my tenure at Catholic grade school, taught me to take everything seriously especially grammar. Their wisdom left its mark. I respect grammar.

The other day I got into a discussion with an acquaintance about the use of the so-called Oxford comma or serial comma. That is the last comma that appears in a series. “Bill likes chicken, pork, and steak dinners.” Proper grammar such that used by the United States Government Printing Office argue for its use for clarity sake. Bill likes chicken dinners. Bill likes pork dinners. Bill likes steak dinners. Pork and steak dinners are a very different thing, surely.

My acquaintance argued against its use, citing MayoClinic.com and a few other websites that shun the comma. Horse feathers, I said. Grammar is grammar. It is not a matter of convenience. My objection is bending the rules at one’s choosing. If that happens, they’re not really rules are they, but suggestions. Pretty soon we’ll be writing thru for through and nite for night.

Newspapers appear to be the doomsayer of the serial comma. Whether it’s for space sake or just re-written grammar rules, it’s hard to say. Most authorities, however, embrace its use. As a geek who appreciates order and expected outcomes, I concur. Long live the Oxford comma!