Oxford comma: right or wrong?

[purple_butterfly14]

"The American flag is red, white, and blue."
"The American flag is red, white and blue."

The bold comma (after WHITE in the first sentence) is called the Oxford comma. So, what do you think? Are you for it or against it? At my school, we always use it, but I personally don't like it.  

[abarrach]

Yes, I'm in favour of it. I don't put a comma when the two items that are "and"ed go together but are separate from the other items in the list, and not when they are just ending the list.  

[Patron with a Mission]

I believe that's right. It's because you're listing things in a row, and so you have to put commas between each object being listen. At least, that's what I've been told.  

[l3viathan]

That seems correct to me as well.  

[Wylde Style]

I use it, because everyones opinion differs. I put that in any paper I write, just in case. sweatdrop  

[Lily-Anne-Marie]

I am not so sure if it is "right" or "wrong." I think it has to deal with the person you are talking to. Some professors and teachers are a**l about the oxford comma and others could care less about it.

For me, I guess I would use it, but sometimes I slack off and not use it, but I try to use commas properly.  

[Roguemagus]

I prefer the Oxford comma. It's comfortable, stylish and useful.

ACK.  

[Lady Pica]

I use it, but mostly because I tend to pause there when I'm talking.  

[CristoVII]

Oxford comma = correctomundo.  

[Ame Yuki Kaze]

I believe in Jesus Christ, my Savior. If you do too, and aren't scared to admit it, then copy and paste this into your signature.

I was taught that you never put a comma before "and" in a list. Thus, I wouldn't use a comma in that list.

However, I don't claim to be a final authority on grammar and could well be incorrect in this situation.

 

[ChibiStarlet]

I don't know that it's right or wrong either way, but I am a fan of the Oxford comma. I think that putting it there just clarifies things and tightens them up a little bit.  

[purple_butterfly14]

I always thought that since a comma replaced an and (you don't say, "I saw cows AND pigs AND goats AND horses at the farm", you say "I saw cows, pigs, goats, and horses at the farm"), the Oxford comma is unnecessary. However, I agree that it can look more stylish and add more of a pause at the point where it's inserted. I guess the choice is optional to use it or not.  

[Praxling]

"When you go, would you have the guts to say...

Well, the way I was taught, you use Oxford comma when listing things like that.
Unless the last two nouns are being named as one object, it would be clearer to use the comma.
The examples I always heard were:
-I like cookies, candy, cake, and ice cream. (Where each food is a different item.)
-I like cookies, candy, cake and ice cream. (Where cake and ice cream are one item.)

Of course, now that I think about it, it would be clearer to insert 'and' before 'cake'.
Unless you wanted to use an asyndeton.
Am I making sense?
I dunno. Personally, I like using the comma. It feels more comfortable to me.
If your question was whether using the comma is right or wrong, it's neither. It's debatable subject.
It's pretty much a matter of personal preference.
And I guess your English teacher/professor, if they are particular about that.

...'I don't love you like I loved you yesterday...'"

 

[snazy-a-tastic]

I was taught not to do it. That doesn't mean it is right or wrong. There are simply differences in style. I went to school for journalism (and am now a journalist) and was taught that it is not Canadian Press style to use the Oxford comma.  

[xXxPrincess AryaxXx]

I use it.