The Oxford comma
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I have no strong feelings either way. Do you @WhatThe?
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Of all the punctuation marks in English, the comma is the most misused.
I was taught at school that a comma is a soft pause.
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The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, remains a subject of debate. Although it was traditionally used, its usage has declined in recent years, particularly in journalism and informal writing.
Therese Coffey when she was Secretary of State for Health and Social Care faced criticism after instructing staff to discontinue the use of Oxford commas in communications. In my profession, we continue to use the comma to ensure that documents are clear, precise, and unambiguous. Ultimately, the decision to use or omit the comma often comes down to personal or institutional choice.
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Morgan - enough to start a thread about it, yes.
MW, I mentioned TC in relation to her role at DWP and I mention the Oxford comma in relation to the 2008 ESA regs. That's what needs to be examined and understood - why it was in the original text and why it was edited out.
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If you would be so kind as to elaborate on the issues you've mentioned regarding the ESA regulations and Teresa Coffey's stance on the Oxford comma, I would greatly appreciate it.
I was aware of the criticism surrounding the email she sent to staff instructing them to stop using the comma, but I know nothing of an ESA fiasco.
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Heck, not heard of Holly Willoughby until now or read those emails.
MW, I can't do much more online today. This is heavy stuff. I've got downloads on memory sticks and a computer but cannot upload them. The DWP reports recently published by Labour 🙏 and mentioned by another member need your attention.
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vikki, those newly published reports from 2014 will hold some of the answers. I really need someone else to trawl through them (and the regulations) because I can't easily explain the ESA fiasco. I'm encouraged to read that MW had not heard of it because there was one and it was buried by the media..
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I've always felt the Oxford comma looks awkward next to an 'and', though I do use it myself where I feel it offers more clarity. But, of course, that additional clarity will only be understood by others who have, at least, the same level of grammatical education in written English. 🤔
(I don't know anything about the ESA comma issues though.)
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OverlyAnxious, I'd never heard of it or used it but its omission from later text altered the intended use of those regs.
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vikki, I was so excited when I heard TC mention the Oxford comma!
It told me 1) Most importantly, that I hadn't imagined any of this. 2) That perhaps the Conservative minister didn't agree with the dishonourable gentleman's scam. 3) There was now a chance that the truth would come out.
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on a lighter note man and lady in a restaurant lady says its the guys duty to pay thats why it is men'u man replies its both our responsibility thats why its called me'n'u i will leave now 😂
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Have you heard the one about the mafia Panda visiting a restaurant?
He eats, shoots, and leaves.
Which is very different to his friend without commas, who eats shoots and leaves.
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Different again from the book of the same title 😁
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i was walking past a farm and saw a sign that said "duck, eggs" i thought thats an unnecessary comma and then it hit me
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😂
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I like to use it in lists to make sure the final two items in the list are shown to be entirely separate. I remember watching a youtube video actually where the oxford comma wasn't used in a certain state law in Maine, USA and ended up costing the State government a lot of money in a lawsuit. I'll need to try and find it again.
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Jimm, it's the ESA regulations - regs 29 and 35 - I'd like someone to upload here so we can identify the Oxford comma in them because I don't know how to upload.. (please don't give me how to steps) Thank you
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i dont use them much because i have a job to see them and it has a habit of winding people up a tad and i do not take great comfort it that 😈
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Hope this helps. Reg 29 in first link, & Reg 35 in the 2nd:
If you search for ESA regulations 29 & 35 Rightsnet there's an interesting document discussing both if you click on the first link which says, 'Making an exception: Regs.29 Reg.35 in ESA cases - Rightsnet'
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Thank you! Are you able to put the text on here?
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