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comma before 'and' vs. no comma before 'and'

comma before 'and' vs. no comma before 'and'

  • I bought bread, milk, and egg.

    Votes: 27 37.0%

  • I bought bread, milk and egg.

    Votes: 28 38.4%

  • BOTH

    Votes: 18 24.7%
  • Total voters
    73
  • Poll closed .
coolwater

coolwater

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 8, 2009
722
1
1 space or 2 spaces after a period poll was surprisingly interesting.

Then, do you put comma before 'and' or not?

Example #1> I bought bread, milk, and eggs.

Example #2> I bought bread, milk and eggs.


I was told to do #1 in high school. But, my college English professor (actually a very hot TA) said both are okay. She said she does #1 because that's how she was taught, but #2 is okay as well.
 
def. no comma. used to get counted off 3 points in English if we even tried that stuff...oh I loved eigth grade, but then again this is Texas we talk about.
 
Both are correct.

Generally, you use no comma in a simple series, such as the one you provided. You always use a comma in more complex series, such as: I got up this morning, took a shower, ate breakfast, and went to work.

You can also use a semi-colon in some cases: I got up this morning, it was too early; took a shower, the water was cold; ate breakfast, cereal again; and went to work.
 
BTW, your poll should read:

I bought bread, milk and eggs.

or

I bought bread, milk and an egg.
 
r.j.s said:
You can also use a semi-colon in some cases: I got up this morning, it was too early; took a shower, the water was cold; ate breakfast, cereal again; and went to work.
Click to expand...

That last one is a tad bit different though, considering that you are modifying each of the things being listed, the commas would become rather confusing. I do believe both is correct, but I def. don't use the ", and" method.
 
thegoldenmackid said:
That last one is a tad bit different though, considering that you are modifying each of the things being listed, the commas would become rather confusing. I do believe both is correct, but I def. don't use the ", and" method.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is different. I thought I would share, since we are on the subject of commas in a series.
 
From the AP Stylebook:

IN A SERIES: Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. He would nominate Tom, Dick or Harry.

Put a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series, however, if an integral element of the series requires a conjunction: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast.

Use a comma also before the concluding conjunction in a complex series of phrases: The main points to consider are whether the athletes are skillful enough to compete, whether they have the stamina to endure the training, and whether they have the proper mental attitude.
Click to expand...
 
r.j.s said:
From the AP Stylebook:

IN A SERIES: Use commas to separate elements in a series, but do not put a comma before the conjunction in a simple series: The flag is red, white and blue. He would nominate Tom, Dick or Harry.

Put a comma before the concluding conjunction in a series, however, if an integral element of the series requires a conjunction: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast.
Click to expand...

Makes more sense. Recommended or a must?

Second question: Can I put comma in a simple series to emphasize? i.e. we only have red, white, and blue.
 
coolwater said:
Makes more sense. Recommended or a must?

Second question: Can I put comma in a simple series to emphasize? i.e. we only have red, white, and blue.
Click to expand...

It all depends on which manual of style you choose to follow. I don't remember what S&W, MLA or Chicago say.
 
No comma, at least for me

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
The comma before the conjunction is often referred to as the "Oxford comma," where the additional comma is traditionally preferred, although the school's own style guide officially recommends against it.

In general, conventional wisdom is to avoid the Oxford comma as unnecessary, but this is a flexible rule. Any writer will encounter situations where clarity of a sentence can be increased or decreased by inclusion or exclusion of the comma, and of course one should always err on the side of greater clarity.
 
The Oxford Comma, I think it's called. (EDIT: Er, yeah, as Gelfin says).

It's something I use and - having checked up on it - it's fine to do so. I think the key thing if you're going to use it is to use it in a consistant manner.
 
I prefer, use, and recommend the comma.

My reason? You pause when you say the sentence out loud, and the comma represents the pause.
 
I always thought things in a list were always listed with commas, unless the two things you don't put a comma between are somehow connected.

For example, unrelated items get commas between all of them:
"I went to the store and bought milk, eggs, and cheese."

Items which go together as a pair get commas:
"For breakfast, we are having bacon and eggs, sausage, and toast." Bacon and eggs are a pair, while sausage and toast aren't necessarily tied together.
 
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