Blue Quote by Lynne Truss
“Well, start waving and yelling, because it is the so-called Oxford comma and it is a lot more dangerous than its exclusive, ivory-tower moniker might suggest. There are people who embrace the Oxford comma and people who don't, and I'll just say this: never get between these people when drink has been taken. Oh, the Oxford comma. Here, in case you don't know what it is yet, is the perennial example, as espoused by Harold Ross: "The flag is red, white, and blue." So what do you think of it? Are you for or against it? Do you hover in between?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Oxford Comma Debate, 2020
The Oxford comma is a contentious punctuation choice that can affect clarity and style, sparking strong opinions.
In simple terms: Punctuation choice matters for clarity.
Key Takeaway
Consider context when using commas.
Themes
grammar
punctuation
clarity
debate
style
Mood
analytical
playful
controversial
Type
prescriptive
descriptive
When to use this quote
- editing
- academic writing
- publishing
- public speaking
Key Concepts
syntax
linguistic norms
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize clarity or tradition?
- When does a comma change meaning?
A Different Perspective
Rigid rules may ignore stylistic flexibility.
![“Brackets come in various shapes, types and names: 1 round brackets (which we call brackets, and the Americans call parentheses) 2 square brackets [which we call square brackets, and the Americans call brackets]” quote by Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b33/lynne-truss-4153_brackets_brackets-come-in-various-shapes-types-an_222507.jpg)
