2006-06-26 11:14:01 · 9 answers · asked by guitarjas 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Grammar, like spelling, seems to be in a constant state of flux. When I was going to school I was taught "yes, always." However, I use a comma before "and" when I have a series that could mean two different things, only one of which I intend. For example: I have two patterns, one of them is black and white and the other one is red and green. I might state this as: "I have two patterns: black and white, and red and green." Leaving out the comma before the "and" might lead one to believe that both patterns had all four colours. (My apologies if that's not the best example, there are probably better ways to word that particular sentence which avoid the comma dilemma altogether, but I hope it gives you an idea of my meaning.)
2006-06-27 05:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
Depends. You only put a comma before coordinating conjunctions (and, for, but, yet, etc.) when separating two complete sentences.
Right: I went to the store, and I bought milk.
Wrong: I went to the store, and bought milk. ("Bought milk" isn't a complete sentence, so you don't need the comma)
If you're talking about listing items in a series, it's not wrong to follow a comma with "and" as long as you've listed more than two items.
2006-06-26 18:20:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much the only time you use a comma before and is when you are identifying 3 objects.
Ex: I have a red shirt, a yellow shirt, and a blue shirt.
The only words that you put a comma in front of otherwise are words like yet, but, so, etc...not and.
2006-06-26 21:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by ♥uncw shelley♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. That's how you join two phrases if a subject and verb follow the comma & and.
Example: I was typing on the computer, and I saw I had a message on the answering machine.
2006-06-26 18:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by torreyc73 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The serial comma is often useful for clarity.
Example:
"I went to the park with my parents, George Bush and Britney Spears.'
"I went to the park with my parents, George Bush, and Britney Spears."
2006-06-26 18:19:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, that's correct somethines, like in a compound sentence.
ex: My dog is big. He has brown hair.
My dog is big, and he has brown hair.
2006-06-26 18:18:12 · answer #6 · answered by divaliciousmandy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not if there are 3 or more things for ex. books, pencils, and binders
yes for just 2 things, you cant write books, and pencils, it would just be books and pencils
2006-06-26 18:20:09 · answer #7 · answered by mrsmoan92 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can use just the "and", or both. ex: We bought chips, dip and candy or ex: We bought chips, dip, and candy
2006-06-26 18:27:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is the proper way actually...
2006-06-27 06:38:55 · answer #9 · answered by chryseis_andromache 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋