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Oops, missed a comma there.. (imgur.com)

submitted ago by mrinsanity

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[–]daroon 242 points243 points ago

Well, two commas, depending on how you view the importance of the Oxford comma.

[–]chefbender1123 210 points211 points ago

You know damn well how important the Oxford comma is...

[–]IsAnyoneHungry 121 points122 points ago

It's important, useful, and visually satisfying.

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points ago

Not even lying when I say I find its proper use...titillating.

[–]lifetothefullest54 6 points7 points ago

I think im greatly misinterpreting that word

[–]ellisrgreen 4 points5 points ago

No, not really.

[–]IsAnyoneHungry -1 points0 points ago

Heh, TITillating...

[–]Look_Who_Shows_Up -1 points0 points ago

Heh, titiLATE-ing

[–][deleted] 23 points24 points ago

Except for when it's none of those things.

In the following sentence, the use of the Oxford comma is clarifying:

I would like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand and God.

As written, it could appear that the speaker is identifying Ayn Rand and God as his or her parents. The Oxford comma clarifies the sentence:

I would like to thank my parents, Ayn Rand, and God.

BUT.

In the following sentence, the Oxford comma is obfuscatory:

I would like to thank my mother, Ayn Rand, and God.

The Oxford comma makes it appear as if the speaker is identifying Ayn Rand as her mother. Thus:

I would like to thank my mother, Ayn Rand and God.

Anyone who dogmatically adheres to one 'correct' grammatical form or another is likely going to do a lot of bad and confusing writing. More, they're never going to develop a strong understanding of writing itself, but rather only of the particular set of rules they've memorized. To write well, you need to adapt to the situation to convey meaning.

[–]BrowsOfSteel 2 points3 points ago

The Oxford comma sometimes removes ambiguity and sometimes fails to, but it never adds ambiguity to a sentence that would not otherwise be ambiguous.

For instance, in your second example, “I would like to thank my mother, Ayn Rand and God” could be taken to say that the author’s mother is both Ayn Rand and God.

This is arguably worse than the Oxford version, which implied only one of those things.

[–][deleted] -3 points-2 points ago

For instance, in your second example, “I would like to thank my mother, Ayn Rand and God” could be taken to say that the author’s mother is both Ayn Rand and God.

And maybe if you were addressing a head injury ward, that might actually be a concern. In reality, no one is going to become confused and think that you are claiming Ayn Rand is both your mother and God. The Oxford comma creates ambiguity.

[–]BrowsOfSteel 2 points3 points ago

In reality, no one is going to think that Ayn Rand was your mother, either.

“God” was intentionally chosen to make the appositive interpretation laughable and therefore dismissible in the version without the Oxford comma, but whoever added that example to Wikipedia should have chosen something more believable for the phantom appositive created by the Oxford comma.

[–]swimkid4 0 points1 point ago

The grammar mistake in the OP's image isn't just missing Oxford commas. The sentence doesn't have parallel structure (the list is a gerund followed by two regular nouns). http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/623/01/

[–]CEOofEarthMITTROMNEY -1 points0 points ago

Your third example is baloney. It absolutely does not appear that the speaker is identifying Ayn Rand as the mother.

[–]MaxATX 5 points6 points ago

Ayn Rand between the two commas...

The reader could take out the ", Ayn Rand," and the sentence can be read that way.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points ago

To some readers, sure. To many -- I'll wager most -- readers, it absolutely does look that way.

Imagine a different scenario. You're able to determine the intended meaning in large part because you know that Ayn Rand isn't the speakers mother; she is a famous and terrible writer. Let's get rid of that. Let's say you're reading the transcript of an acceptance speech a stranger gave, and you encounter this sentence:

I would like to thank my mother, April Newman, and God.

Or better yet, we'll remove the "my mother" bit altogether:

I would like to thank my doctoral adviser, April Newman, and God.

The problem here is that we create apposition, and thus we can read "April Newman" as a contextualization of "my doctoral adviser". This isn't an assertion; it's a fact. That sentence is structured exactly like an appositive phrase is structured. There are three main ways people contextualize information in their writing as asides, each constituting an increase in the degree of removal from the sentence.

See here:

1. I would like to thank my doctoral adviser, April Newman, and God.

2. I would like to thank my doctoral adviser -- April Newman -- and God.

3. I would like to thank my doctoral adviser (April Newman) and God.

Of the three, the comma creates the most ambiguity, but it also best preserves the flow of the writing. Say the three sentences out loud. Most people will increase the pause on either end of "April Newman" slightly with each increase in removal from the sentence. I would argue that if this speech were actually given, and the speaker indeed intended to identify their doctoral adviser as April Newman, the transcript would most faithfully preserve the actual diction by using commas rather than em dashes or parentheses.

So we have to deal with the ambiguity.

[–]Pike1914 0 points1 point ago

That's why you would throw in phrases to signify that there are three persons, such as "and also" or "as well as" for clarity.

[–][deleted] -1 points0 points ago

If you want to write awfully, sure.

[–]Pike1914 0 points1 point ago

More for speaking, as pertains to that particular sentence.

[–]Apostolate 8 points9 points ago

Sometimes, I think commas, you know, they're just great to overuse, but just sometimes.

PS I don't know grammar.

[–]beemario 11 points12 points ago

Thanks Christopher walken

[–]phailsafe 3 points4 points ago

totally read in his voice

[–]Crim91 3 points4 points ago

Satisfying in other ways too, if you know what I mean.

[–]pwolter0 23 points24 points ago

Very!

[–]chefbender1123 12 points13 points ago

INDEED!

[–]time20 6 points7 points ago

Bloody hell yes my good man!

[–]MYDOGSTELLA 2 points3 points ago

Why did you not use comma!!!! ARG

[–]Uncle_Hircine 0 points1 point ago

Was that supposed to be a question????

[–]koogoro1 8 points9 points ago

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?

(i've seen those english dramas too, they're cruel)

[–]chefbender1123 3 points4 points ago

The same people who give a fuck about the English language!

[–]koogoro1 1 point2 points ago

I like the song. I also like Oxford commas. I like the song more than I like Oxford commas, though.

[–]Gamerosays 0 points1 point ago

Where's YourMusicalComment when you need him...

[–]amolad 0 points1 point ago

The "Oxford comma" is better known as the "serial comma." Or "series."

I always use them.

[–]brysoncorley 64 points65 points ago

relevant

[–]BeaumontTaz 15 points16 points ago

Beautiful.

[–]deadlyeggroll 4 points5 points ago

Yes. Who knew JFK and Stalin could be so visually satisfying.

[–]whytofly 1 point2 points ago

Is there a kid-friendly version of this that I could show my students?

[–]jackb55 1 point2 points ago

Mistakenly leave it up on the projector. Let's face it, it's worth the education.

[–]whytofly 1 point2 points ago

I don't think my six year olds would find it funny because the majority don't know Hitler, Stalin, or what a stripper is, haha.

[–]zombicidalscientist 0 points1 point ago

We invited clowns, John, and Joe. It was an awesome party.

We invited clowns, John and Joe. It was a lonely party.

[–]javelins 14 points15 points ago

Fuck the AP style guide. Chicago Manual of Style FOR LIFE.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points ago

Strunk and White REPRESENT!

[–]Plushgunner 3 points4 points ago

I went from editing AP to editing Chicago. It broke my heart the first time I inserted an oxford comma.

[–]WMDistraction 1 point2 points ago

MLA? >_>

[–]Plushgunner 1 point2 points ago

Ah, the time where I didn't have to worry about headline and subtitle capitalization.

[–]WMDistraction 1 point2 points ago

I've never used APA, but the formatting guidelines and stuff, besides making the date more important than the author, make no sense. Running titles are pointless, there's no Oxford comma--APA lacks of commas, in general, which can lead to some confusing syntax--and other such features of APA just make me glad that I've never had to use it.

I did really enjoy Chicago when I used it, though. Citing through footnotes made me feel clever for some reason.

[–]Plushgunner 3 points4 points ago

Just to point out, the American Psychological Association style is pretty different from the Associated Press style guide.

[–]WMDistraction 0 points1 point ago

I always forget about the Press... Does that make me a bad person?

[–]Bleeding_Madras 0 points1 point ago

My history teacher made an awesome condensed version of it. I'm getting it framed.

[–]dj_polymath 0 points1 point ago

REDBOOK, biotches.

[–]emehrkay 3 points4 points ago

http://www.verbicidemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/why-i-still-use-the-oxford-comma.jpg

[–]Way_too_poor 4 points5 points ago

I can't be the only one who read it 3 times and saw no need for a comma. However, i did see a word that had been left out. "Rachel Ray finds inspiration in cooking FOR her family and her dog."

[–]austeregrim 1 point2 points ago

Okay, I upvoted, because that's what I thought... but seeing the original, two commas. Representing "Finds inspiration in cooking, and her family, and her dog."

Should actually be, in order of importance; "inspiration in her family, her dog, and her cooking."

[–]Rixxer 5 points6 points ago

Went to make the same comment, then I saw this. I'm glad there are more people who are upset by the Oxford comma not being the norm. It's just makes sense. You pause before the "and X", and there should be a comma there. It could also have a different meaning without that comment, for example.

[–]an800lbgorilla 1 point2 points ago

I'd like to thank my mother, the King of France, and God.

[–]ZapActions-dower 0 points1 point ago

Leaving out the Oxford comma changes that sentence completely. Now it's "I'd like to that my mother, who is the King of France and God.

[–]an800lbgorilla -3 points-2 points ago

Ahem

p.s. as it is written now I may be thanking two people or three -- not one like in your example.

[–]ZapActions-dower 3 points4 points ago

Broken. Also, Funny Junk: What the hell?

[–]artemisbuckwald 4 points5 points ago

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?

[–]Jls900 14 points15 points ago

I've seen those English dramas too

[–]smokecat20 9 points10 points ago

they're cruel

[–]joko123 6 points7 points ago

If there's any other way to spell the words fine with me, with me.

[–]Bleeding_Madras 1 point2 points ago

With meee

[–]edstatue 0 points1 point ago

Wouldn't a colon be best, since her family and dog are members of a list? Otherwise, with two commas, it would sound like she found three things: inspiration in cooking, her family, and her dog.

[–]Shindayam 0 points1 point ago

Yay, I am not the only Reddit grammar Nazi!

[–]zoodiary8 0 points1 point ago

That's show that you use Oxford, Good!

[–]Ilantzvi -1 points0 points ago

Wouldn't it be a semicolon, rather than two commas?

[–]atleastzero 1 point2 points ago

Nope.

[–]Cluster_One -1 points0 points ago

i think it very important for comma use of the oxford comma use becouase it takes time away from typing time reply to comment and this

[–]Bleeding_Madras -3 points-2 points ago

Who gives a fuck about an oxford comma.

Edit: Jokes been made, here is a picture of some cats.

[–]elfurioso -4 points-3 points ago

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?

[–]elfurioso 0 points1 point ago

As much as I love the downvotes, the correct response should be, 'I've seen those English dramas, too.'

[–]hezzer 64 points65 points ago

Shopped.

[–]noodle42 46 points47 points ago

or maybe THAT picture was shopped!

[–]fattshorts 122 points123 points ago

I can confirm that I dont really care either way

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]KevYuuuu 29 points30 points ago

downvotes given: 1

[–]beachjustice -5 points-4 points ago

ow.. my brains

[–]tylerr1579 -3 points-2 points ago

I feel like this was in agreement with fattshorts. Maybe I'm just optimistic.

[–]spazmodic- 1 point2 points ago

nope... Here's the magazine's side of the story:

http://www.tailsinc.com/2011/03/rachael-ray-altered-cover/

[–]The_Ombudsman 9 points10 points ago

Indeed.

[–]BroadStreet_Bully 2 points3 points ago

I thought it was supposed to say, "Rachel Ray finds inspiration in cooking for her family and her dog."

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]BroadStreet_Bully 0 points1 point ago

...they do

[–]myfajahas400children 3 points4 points ago

Doesn't matter; I laughed.

[–]hezzer 4 points5 points ago

Don't get me wrong, it doesn't make it less funny, but the more you know...

[–]RiPotato 0 points1 point ago

The more responsibility you have?

[–]Pizzaman99 -1 points0 points ago

No way!

I suppose you're going to tell me this isn't real, either?

NSFW

[–]hi_internet -2 points-1 points ago

It could possibly be a re-printed version.

[–]fattshorts 16 points17 points ago

  • how to cook people
  • how to cook FOR people
  • how to cook FORTY people
  • How to cook FOR forty people

the aliens always seemed so nice, i would let them abduct me and my family for a nice dinner abroad. We would end the night playing checkers, and getting dickered.

[–]markusgarvey 3 points4 points ago

yes...all they want to do is serve man...

[–]darkshaddow42 4 points5 points ago

To serve man - It's a cookbook!

[–]Overclock 4 points5 points ago

What an unfortunate coincidence that in the alien's language the word "serve" has the same double meaning as it does in English.

[–]igavefoucaltaids 12 points13 points ago

.

[–]BAD_AT_TERMINAL -3 points-2 points ago

RACH

[–]epgenius 7 points8 points ago

I know it's rude to say repost, but when it's not even funny the first time, it just becomes senseless not to try and stop the trend.

[–]Kleptus_Christ 0 points1 point ago

Came here to express the same feeling.

[–]toe2thaknee 6 points7 points ago

I hate being that guy , but this is a very deliberate re-post from a month ago. The exact same image was used here, he just re-cropped and added red circle... Be Original

[–]chaosinus 5 points6 points ago

Mr and mrs tennorman chili anyone?

[–]joko123 3 points4 points ago

"I once took the head off a statue..." "I once killed someone's parents and cooked them into chili and made him eat it because I was mad at him" "You win..."

[–]flounder19 2 points3 points ago

in your effort to remember the comma in your title you've added an extra period at the end.

[–]The_Curly_Council 2 points3 points ago

Curious on how to prepare a quick meal of family with dog? Tune in next for 30 minute meals with Rachael Ray!

[–]JonnyStingray 2 points3 points ago

As a Filipino, I do not see what is wrong.

[–]asimovinoff 2 points3 points ago

Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?

[–]Seismic_Raptor 1 point2 points ago

Kudos to you sir!

[–]CharioteerOut 1 point2 points ago

I can't not upvote this old-ass overplayed song. It's too good. XD

[–]steve0suprem0 3 points4 points ago

to be fair, that dog does look delicious.

[–]anexanhume 1 point2 points ago

The biggest problem with having family over for dinner is finding a pot big enough.

[–]JavAA 1 point2 points ago

Nasty Rachel!

[–]Lord_Hobbes 1 point2 points ago

or the word "for"

[–]CalliopesSong 1 point2 points ago

Do cannibal tribes get subscriptions?

[–]Jesusdragon737 1 point2 points ago

From a fun book I haven't gotten the chance to finish yet:

A panda walks into a restaurant, sits down and orders a sandwich. After he finishes eating the sandwich, the panda pulls out a gun and shoots the waiter, and then stands up to go. "Hey!" shouts the manager. "Where are you going? You just shot my waiter and you didn't pay for your sandwich!"

The panda yells back at the manager, "Hey man, I am a PANDA! Look it up!"

The manager opens his dictionary and sees the following definition for panda: "A tree-dwelling marsupial of Asian origin, characterised by distinct black and white colouring. Eats shoots and leaves."

[–]Dan_Oner 3 points4 points ago

the title of the magazine is tails, it should be fails.

[–]jasonp71 1 point2 points ago

Dog stew anyone?

[–]GodzillaInsurance 3 points4 points ago

MAH FRAVRIT FERRD

[–]Z3F 4 points5 points ago

I prefer family stew.

[–]Jammku 0 points1 point ago

Didn't she kill some dogs by accident by feeding them onions?

[–]UnicornAkira 0 points1 point ago

And people said I was crazy in saying an extra word or comma could save someone's life.

[–]1234blahblahblah 0 points1 point ago

You know what they meant!

[–]prep20 0 points1 point ago

Where are you ShittyWaterColour!?!?

[–]Conchibiris 0 points1 point ago

"Fails" magazine

[–]RedThunder90 0 points1 point ago

I feel like the last time this picture came up, the comments were similar. Not complaining, just observing.

[–]alrightythen7 0 points1 point ago

In other news, Rachael Ray looks way hotter in that picture than I remember

[–]junkfood66 0 points1 point ago

Eat, RAY, love. Seems there's more missing then a few comma's.

[–]ShittyApostrophe_s 0 points1 point ago

... than a few commas.

Man, you should have MY account...

[–]Early70sEnt 0 points1 point ago

I thought the story was about how she invited the Obamas to dinner. My mistake.

[–]ThEgg 0 points1 point ago

I accidentally two commas.

[–]Benruss 0 points1 point ago

Her dog's name is Ray?

[–]ardaihm 0 points1 point ago

It's either two comments or it's fucking wrong

[–]ardaihm 0 points1 point ago

commas*

[–]TheLoveTin 0 points1 point ago

More likely the word "for"

[–]here_for_the_lols 0 points1 point ago

I think the missed a "for"

[–]LumbarSupport 0 points1 point ago

I haven't been here very long, but I think this is a repost.

[–]Dargonatrix 0 points1 point ago

Let's eat, grandma.

Let's eat grandma.

[–]ModernAlias 0 points1 point ago

This is not a mistake. It's a scoop. Now you know the horrid truth.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

Her new cookbook, "To Serve Man", is awesome!

[–]LazyWASP 0 points1 point ago

Eats, Shoots & Leaves.

[–]cobaltgiant 0 points1 point ago

It's like she doesn't know what a real smile looks like.

[–]claudesoph 0 points1 point ago

Oops, missed a period there...

[–]wsfarrell 0 points1 point ago

She went from hot to harridan fairly quickly.

[–]yesman609 0 points1 point ago

Is it a comma that's missing? I think adding "from" after "cooking" makes more sense, no?

[–]ENRICOs 0 points1 point ago

She has been getting a bit chunky lately, and that particular breed of dog she's holding simply packs on the pounds, no matter how you prepare it.

[–]krenotenze 0 points1 point ago

I think the word "for" is missing actually...

[–]reversekarma 0 points1 point ago

missed 2 commas. Oxford commas not optional in ma house!

[–]Phillinator 0 points1 point ago

Repost from a few weeks back.

[–]skidooshy 0 points1 point ago

cue the "No they got it right the first time" jokes

[–]dann_04 0 points1 point ago

Bath salts.

[–]molkhal 0 points1 point ago

Commas don't need to be put at the end the of a line.

[–]igotl2k 0 points1 point ago

Photoshop in play again

[–]Pelican_Fly 0 points1 point ago

Or maybe they missed two "for"s.

[–]shebazz42 0 points1 point ago

No, they didn't. Look at her eyes. Jesus.

[–]laur7620 0 points1 point ago

I think they missed a for

[–]BigDaddyCraw 0 points1 point ago

Or did they...

[–]yodasonics 0 points1 point ago

I do not understand how a comma can fix this, someone care to explain?

[–]Bishopkilljoy 0 points1 point ago

No they didn't ;]

[–]mostanon 0 points1 point ago

Tails, more like fail amirite?! Guys... Guys?

I'll get me coat...

[–]Nyawk 0 points1 point ago

That explains a lot about her.

[–]johnlhooker 0 points1 point ago

how about ZERO commas because magazines often use lines to separate things like that

people are retarded >.>

[–]WaffleSports 0 points1 point ago

I had a picture of a people magazine with Michele Obama on the cover and they stacked the words in a similar fashion to this. It definitely looked wrong though as it read "Tales of - a white - house wife" I'll look for a picture.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

This is a fake, a photoshop chop job. See this link. Boo.

[–]ClairdeWhimsy 0 points1 point ago

COMMAS SAVE LIVES:

"Let's eat, Grandma!" vs. "Let's eat Grandma!!"

[–]ThrobbingWetHole 0 points1 point ago

That would be giving her food more credit than it deserves...oh, wait, food network does that already...

[–]baemey 0 points1 point ago

"and in her dog" Why do people always think a comma is the answer?

[–]frankthebunnyrabbit 0 points1 point ago

agreed. surprised there were so many comments above yours.

[–]TheAdamantArchvile 0 points1 point ago

The Oxford Comma strikes again.

[–]TooManyCoffee 0 points1 point ago

This week: Rachael Ray takes Bath Salts.

[–]jdylopa 0 points1 point ago

Then she eats shoots and leaves

[–]fluxaxion -1 points0 points ago

I found the same inspiration; no commas needed.

[–]Rixxer -1 points0 points ago

In my opinion there should be two commas. Why isn't the oxford comma the norm!?

[–]loganpatt -1 points0 points ago

Repost

[–]JDX3DS -1 points0 points ago

WOW, worst photoshop ever

[–]Near2Zero -2 points-1 points ago

Technically missing two...

[–]Glarsky -3 points-2 points ago

Obviously shopped, although perhaps the poster didn't realize this. Look closely.

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