What is an Oxford comma? We all use commas when writing lists of things. But the Oxford comma has a very special place - it sits BEFORE the conjunction, which is either "and" or "or".

And when did the Oxford comma become so controversial? We're answering all those questions and more for those of you unfamiliar with the Oxford comma rule, including examples for each.

In that example you need a comma before “and,” otherwise the sentence says the author’s parents are the Pope and Mother Teresa. There can be other exceptions to dropping the Oxford comma.

When you’re writing a list, you naturally include commas to separate each item, but an Oxford comma is when you also put a comma before the “and [Final Item]”.

LONDON -- Ever a divisive topic among grammar enthusiasts, the Oxford comma has been at the center of an enduring argument over punctuation. And most recently, the debate has been sparked by the ...

LONDON - A report that Oxford University had changed its comma rule left some punctuation obsessives alarmed, annoyed, and distraught. Passions subsided as the university said the news was ...

While the Oxford comma should be used in cases of potential ambiguity, John McWhorter writes it should not become a universal grammatical rule.

Why Is the Oxford Comma So Controversial? The use of an Oxford comma is a controversial topic. In fact, it's known to spark debates similar to political and religious-focused conversations. The ...