In the English language, can you place a comma before "and?"?

Question

For example...
"I own a car, house, sailboat, and a dog."

Is it grammatically correct to do that?

Answer 1

A comma should be mandatory. Just because permissive grammarians rule doesn't mean we should recognize their authority. Just because confusion may be rare is no reason to discard the distinction. Only omit the comma when the last two words form a term in themselves:

The millionaire owns a hotel, a motel, and a bed and breakfast.

Answer 2

You can put a comma before the "and"or not put one. Both are grammatically correct. To be consistent though grammatically, I would place the comma before the "and." Look at the difference in the two sentences. Doesn't the 1st sentence look a bit better than the 2nd one?

"I own a car, house, sailboat, and a dog."

or

"I own a car, house, sailboat and a dog."

Answer 3

There are a number of different uses for a common in English. Commas are used to:

Separate a list of items. This is one of the most common uses of a comma. Notice that a comma is included before the conjunction 'and' which comes before the final element of a list.
Examples:

I like reading, listening to music, taking long walks, and visiting with my friends.
They would like books, magazines, DVDs, video cassettes, and other learning materials for their library.

Separate phrases (clauses).

Examples:

Separate two independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction such as 'but'.
Examples:

They wanted to purchase a new car, but their financial situation would not allow it.
I'd really enjoy seeing a film this evening, and I'd like to go out for a drink.

Introduce a direct quote (as opposed to indirect speech i.e. He said he wanted to come ...).
Examples:

The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips."
His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a heart attack."

Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining relative clauses.
Examples:

Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle.
My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape.

Answer 4

This is controversial. But, in my opinion, what makes more sense is Stone and Bell´s explanation, which applies to "and", "but" and "or": "[i]n a series of three or more members, put a comma after every member but the last" (p. 195): Whatever you think, say or do won´t do.

Why? Because these conjunctions join words or expressions:
They bought yogurt, flour and sugar. ("and" joins 3 words)
There were flowers everywhere; in the garden, in the living room and in the bedroom. ("and" joins 3 expressions or phrases)

However, if these conjunctions are used to join clauses together, there are two possibilities:
(A) if the two clauses have different subjects, use a comma to separate them:
a. She did call me, but I did not answer. (she/ I)
b. He likes to watch TV, and I prefer to listen to the radio. (he/ I)
c. Don´t [you] eat that stuff, or I´ll call your mother. ([you]/ I)

(B) if the clauses have the same subject, don´t use a comma before the conjunction:
a. I did call her but couldn´t say anything. (I did call/ [I] couldn´t say)
b. He reads and writes a lot. (he reads/ [he] writes)
c. I ´ll do it or hire someone to do it. (I´ll do/ [I´ll] hire)

Answer 5

I agree with the other answers that it is gramatically correct. It really comes down to a matter of preference. If it's any help, though, the Associated Press stylebook, which newspaper writers and editors use as their grammar bible, says to omit the comma.

Answer 6

Yes, both that and the following are acceptable:

"I own a car, house, sailboat and a dog."

Answer 7

I concur totally with the previous answer, and you don't even have to choose me as best answer!

Answer 8

"Stars and Stripes"

The gaps between "Stars" and "and", and "and" and Stripes, are too big.