mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 (edited) Something lighthearted for all the heavy posts this week :-)! I've been doing the Christmas cards for years. I sign it with our 4 names (i.e. Jim, Alice, Tim, and Ellen). My DH looks at the card every year before I order them (photo cards) and has never said anything. This year he tells me it's wrong to use the comma between Tim and Alice. I looked at the photo cards we received last year and about half are the way I do it and half the way he says to do it. Which is correct? I am getting my FLL book out again as I wait for responses -- LOL! ETA: Changed my title from grammar to punctuation :-) Edited December 13, 2017 by mlktwins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Do you mean between Tim and Ellen? If so, it's called the Oxford comma and there's a whole world of controversy over it. :) The example that I love supporting the Oxford comma is this one: I'd like to thank my parents, Ellen and God. I'd like to thank my parents, Ellen, and God. In the first one, it looks like your parents are Ellen and God. In the second one, you can tell that th person is thanking three people/groups: 1. Parents. 2. Ellen. 3. God. The comma is important in cases like that. However, in cases like signing a card, it isn't as important, but I use it all the time nonetheless. 22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I sign it with our 4 names (i.e. Jim, Alice, Tim, and Ellen). ... he tells me it's wrong to use the comma between Tim and Alice. The only comma that is a matter of taste is the one between Tim and "and", the Oxford Comma. All other commas are required in regular writing. For signing a card, however, you can get away with placing all names in random spots on the card, in which case commas are not used. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Oh jeeze. As long as you aren't signing it "from all of we" I think you're good. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Do you mean between Tim and Ellen? If so, it's called the Oxford comma and there's a whole world of controversy over it. :) The example that I love supporting the Oxford comma is this one: I'd like to thank my parents, Ellen and God. I'd like to thank my parents, Ellen, and God. In the first one, it looks like your parents are Ellen and God. In the second one, you can tell that th person is thanking three people/groups: 1. Parents. 2. Ellen. 3. God. The comma is important in cases like that. However, in cases like signing a card, it isn't as important, but I use it all the time nonetheless. Yes! I do Jim, Alice, Tim, and Ellen DH says Jim, Alice, Tim and Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Punctuation isn't grammar, and if your husband doesn't like how you sign the cards he can darn well do it himself next year. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Oh jeeze. As long as you aren't signing it "from all of we" I think you're good. I know. It is meant to be lighthearted :-). One of my boys said to use the comma -- LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 That would be the Oxford comma and I'm all for it. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Punctuation isn't grammar, and if your husband doesn't like how you sign the cards he can darn well do it himself next year. Meant to be fun. He said to do it how I wanted. He has just never commented before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 That would be the Oxford comma and I'm all for it. Isn't there a thread in the General Education Forum about the Oxford comma? I will go check... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Most American style guides call for the third comma. Most British style guides say to leave it out unless it is needed to clarify meaning. Both are correct, you can choose. And if Dh wants it his way he can do the cards. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Do what you feel. If anyone complains, they will get coal for Christmas. I agree that if it really bugs your dh, he is free to sign the cards himself. Personally I do NOT use a comma before "and" in a list. Shoot me. :P And I use an ampersand, so shoot me twice. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Yes! I do Jim, Alice, Tim, and Ellen DH says Jim, Alice, Tim and Ellen Either one is correct. If you were writing only two names, you wouldn't write "Tim, and Ellen," would you? No. You'd write "Tim and Ellen." Well, it's the same thing when you're writing the other names, as well. Jim, Alice, Tim and Ellen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Most American style guides call for the third comma. Most British style guides say to leave it out unless it is needed to clarify meaning. Both are correct, you can choose. And if Dh wants it his way he can do the cards. I'm with the Brits on this. It is how I was taught back in the day, and I see no reason to change. :hat: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Here is that thread from the General Education board. What a hoot... http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/663918-oxford-comma/page-?mode=show 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I â¤ï¸ the Oxford comma. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Do what you feel. If anyone complains, they will get coal for Christmas. I agree that if it really bugs your dh, he is free to sign the cards himself. Personally I do NOT use a comma before "and" in a list. Shoot me. :p And I use an ampersand, so shoot me twice. Oooohhhh -- an ampersand! That would be different for this year's card -- LOL! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSmomof2 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 #TeamOxfordComma 😄 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 That’s purely a matter of style/preference. I figured this would be about the misuse of apostrophes when making last names plural and causing the needless deaths of kittens. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 #TeamOxfordComma 😄 Same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Oh jeeze. As long as you aren't signing it "from all of we" I think you're good. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Either one is correct. If you were writing only two names, you wouldn't write "Tim, and Ellen," would you? No. You'd write "Tim and Ellen." Well, it's the same thing when you're writing the other names, as well. Jim, Alice, Tim and Ellen. have you read the book: "eats, shoots and leaves"? very different meaning than: eats, shoots, and leaves. oxford comma, I'd use it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 there was just an extensive thread on this board about the Oxford comma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 (edited) have you read the book: "eats, shoots and leaves"? very different meaning than: eats, shoots, and leaves. oxford comma, I'd use it. There's no difference between those two sentences. There's a difference between Eats, shoots, and leaves and Eats shoots and leaves (or Eats shoots, and leaves), though. Edited December 13, 2017 by Word Nerd 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I use the comma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMS83 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Garga said it best, and I use a comma before the "and." A comma after the "and" would be completely incorrect, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fralala Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 Just as long as you don't sign it "The Mlktwinserson's." I withhold judgment based upon the absence or presence of the Oxford comma, but can there really be a style guide out there that recommends using an apostrophe when making a surname plural? A number of people who write to us seem to think so. (And snark aside, I do appreciate the holiday greeting's.) ;) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 13, 2017 Author Share Posted December 13, 2017 Just as long as you don't sign it "The Mlktwinserson's." I withhold judgment based upon the absence or presence of the Oxford comma, but can there really be a style guide out there that recommends using an apostrophe when making a surname plural? A number of people who write to us seem to think so. (And snark aside, I do appreciate the holiday greeting's.) ;) LOL. My last name ends in "ch" and I promise I don't use an apostrophe :laugh: . We have received quite a few personalized gifts that have an apostrophe though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 I’m a supporter of the Oxford comma! 😆 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted December 13, 2017 Share Posted December 13, 2017 That would be the Oxford comma and I'm all for it. I just learned an oxford comma was a thing in some other post here. I am not great with grammar honestly. What is funny is that in elementary school they taught us to use the comma and then later in high school they had us to not use it. I thought I just had it wrong or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scholastica Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Meant to be fun. He said to do it how I wanted. He has just never commented before. The Oxford comma is a serious subject. There is nothing fun about it.😠2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Long live the Oxford comma! (But you are both right.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 (edited) I think you can do it any way you want. I use a comma there sometimes, and sometimes I don't. I'm liking it more as I get older. :) In your case I would use it, because otherwise Tim and Ellen look like a couple. Edited December 14, 2017 by J-rap 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 We are a mixed-comma-use family here, too. Poor ds and having us edit his college essays! Put it in, take it out. lol You may do either, just be consistent within each writing project. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Team Oxford comma! Love, The XXXXzes (<---- dh still doesn't believe our last name is really pluralized that way.) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 You can have my Oxford comma when you pry it from my cold, dead, and lifeless hands. Critiquing my use of the Oxford comma would make the job of cards my husband's. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 You can have my Oxford comma when you pry it from my cold, dead, and lifeless hands. Critiquing my use of the Oxford comma would make the job of cards my husband's. I don't think I could "allow" my husband to mutilate our cards that way, lol. I submitted several messages to go into a program once, and the editor took out my Oxford comma in each one. I'm still holding a huge grudge! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 There's no difference between those two sentences. There's a difference between Eats, shoots, and leaves and Eats shoots and leaves (or Eats shoots, and leaves), though. so - it couldn't be - eats (finishes eating), shoots (a gun) and leaves (the scene)? or eats shoots (eating shoots), and leaves (and leaves). comma placement will change the meaning of a sentence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solascriptura Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 I know that the Oxford comma is optional. Sentences are just clearer when they are used. I like clear. I don’t like confusing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 (edited) Just as long as you don't sign it "The Mlktwinserson's." I withhold judgment based upon the absence or presence of the Oxford comma, but can there really be a style guide out there that recommends using an apostrophe when making a surname plural? A number of people who write to us seem to think so. (And snark aside, I do appreciate the holiday greeting's.) ;) No, there is definitely NOT a style guide that uses an apostrophe to make a surname plural (and there are scant reasons to use an apostrophe to make other things plural, but never a surname). Of all the grammar atrocities in the world, that is surely the worst! Edited December 14, 2017 by Ellie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 so - it couldn't be - eats (finishes eating), shoots (a gun) and leaves (the scene)? or eats shoots (eating shoots), and leaves (and leaves). comma placement will change the meaning of a sentence. Yes, comma placement changes the meaning of the sentences I posted. The Oxford comma does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted December 14, 2017 Share Posted December 14, 2017 Oxford comma for the win! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.