There’s a lot of debate about the Oxford Comma (aka the Cereal Comma) on the internet, but the most correct way to separate items in a list is with the Macquarie Comma. Commas can be difficult, confusing, and, hard to read if used incorrectly, which is why it’s so important to use them correctly. The correct Macquarie Comma has a comma after each list item (aside from the ultimate one), as well as the conjunction.
Here are some helpful examples to show you the correct way of using commas, the Macquarie way.
My sandwich is made of ham, cheese, and, bread.
A panda eats, shoots, and, leaves.
Would you prefer tea, coffee, or, something else?
We have already forwarded these new guidelines to our subscribers, editorial team, and, style guide, and are already receiving great feedback. We’ve attached some praise from our subscribers Avril, Geoffrey, and, Gus, below.
“I’ve always found it confusing trying to remember where I do or do not need a comma, but the Macquarie Comma is clear, easy to remember, and, only uses a tiny bit of extra ink!” – Avril Poisson, novelist
“Quick, ink-efficient, and, rememberable. Those are the three words I’d use to describe the Macquarie Comma. I’m not sure they’re all words, but at least I can check it in my Macquarie Dictionary!” – Geoffrey Lustig, typesetter [editorial note: rememberable is not a real word]
“I hate this, it’s awful. Why would you make me write like this. It’s slower, I keep forgetting about it, and, it’s using so much extra ink. Please let me stop.” – Gus [surname withheld], student
