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

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.

 

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I've always heard that either was is acceptable, but I never put that comma, it just looks weird.

 

I'm glad I missed that. (I left Texas in 7th grade, cane back in 9th. )

But I also don't use the comma. It just looks weird to me.

 

I always used a comma, since I think that is what the Chicago Manual uses.

BTW, when did this turn into grammar rumors?

 

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.

 

Long before you joined...

 

BTW, your poll should read:

I bought bread, milk and eggs.

or

I bought bread, milk and an egg.

 

Always use a comma.

 

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.

 

i change it up depending how i feel.

 

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

 

i use a comma

 

From the AP Stylebook:

 

english is too hard. i only use the punctuation thats needed to convey my point lol

 

Here, I'm more relaxed ... but at work, English is my job.

 

It all depends on which manual of style you choose to follow. I don't remember what S&W, MLA or Chicago say.

 

Damn. I always use the comma.

I'm gonna make the switcheroo over to the non-comma side.

 

No comma, at least for me

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

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 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.