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Grammar's great divide: The Oxford comma - TED-Ed

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If you read "Bob, a DJ and a clown" on a guest list, are three people coming to the party, or only one? That depends on whether you're for or against the Oxford comma -- perhaps the most hotly contested punctuation mark of all time. When do we use one? Can it really be optional, or is there a universal rule? TED-Ed explores both sides of this comma conundrum.

Provide two arguments for why you should use the Oxford comma and two for why you should not.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jessica Ruby, Alex Gendler
  • Producer Zedem Media
  • Director Michael Kalopaidis
  • Animator Maria Savva
  • Artist Dinos Hadjidemetri
  • Sound Designer Andreas Trachonitis, Mikaela Tsangari
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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