re: Grammar Q: Use of commas in lists

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The Queen used the Oxford.

I use the Oxford.

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sex, drugs and rock and roll just looks bad with the two ands in a row with no comma.

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That was a bad example. Originally, I was going to use if, and, but, but I wasn’t sure if it was:

…ifs, ands, or buts

Or

…if’s, and’s, or but’s

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if’s, and’s, or but’s

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I just overdosed on the seldom seen Oxford apostrophe's''

I go with the Oxford comma, and I struggle why this is even an issue. If leaving out the comma regularly causes confusion, and it takes no time to add the comma, just do it for the sake of humanity and one less thing to worry/fight about.

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A for this reason. Also for the example in the OP.

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Then just rewrite the sentence for clarity. “Among those interviewed were Kris Kristofferson, Robert Duvall and Merle Haggard’s two ex-wives.” Problem solved.

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The Queen used the Oxford.

I use the Oxford.

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Ewww…

Believe B is favored by the journalist AP Style guide.

I've dabbled in both A and B but continue to favor A.

I prefer to use the Oxford comma in most scenarios for clarity. And sometimes it just looks funny without it.

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One of the few, truly, and useful threads on the OT lately.

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FIFY