why do people differ when using the comma before "and" & "but"?

Question

some people say there should always be comma before "AND," and some people say no, because "and" is an conjunction. also the same goes for the other conjunction "BUT". these exception are a bit confusing. your help would be much appreciated. many thanks.

Answer 1

There is a clear grammar rule for when to use a comma with a conjunction:

If the conjunction you are using joins to independent clauses (a clause is part of a sentence, if it's independent it can stand by itself and still be a sentence) then you use a comma before the conjuction:

I went to look for him, but he was gone.
It was raining, and I had no umbrella.

Notice both parts of each sentence are able to stand alone. Compare these sentences to:

I lost my homework and had nothing to hand in.
She was a good runner but not a good jumper.

There should not be commas before the conjunctions in these sentences because one of the clauses can't stand alone.

The placement of a comma has nothing to do with which conjunction is being used, but rather the clauses it joins.
(This rule works for all joining conjunctions, not just AND and BUT, try it with: OR, NOR, YET, and SO.)

Answer 2

The reason people differ is because not everyone knows the rules. Most people just throw a comma into a sentence when they pause when speaking the same words.

An instance where a comma goes before the word 'and' is when you are putting three or more ideas together in one sentence. "We went to the store to get milk, bread, and eggs." But if the sentence had less than 3 nouns at the end, there would be no comma.

Answer 3

The comma adds emphasis to the second clause but since you are only comparing two things it is unnecessary. In a list of three or more you would separate all but the last one with a comma.

Answer 4

There should really be a comma before both 'and' and 'but'. Sometimes the sentences are very short, though, so a comma is not really necessary.

Answer 5

I have struggled with this also. Sometimes the words "and" or "but" are used to link 2 complete sentences. A comma goes before "and" or "but" in that situation. ie... I went to the store, and we bought lots of new clothes. There is a complete sentence before and. There is a complete sentence after and. (Alternatively, I could write, "There is a complete sentence before and, and there is a complete sentence after and." )

If it is only one complete sentence, then you don't use a comma. "I went to the store and bought lots of new clothes." In this instance, "I went to the store."is a complete sentence. "bought lots of clothes" is not a complete sentence. Thus, no comma.

Good Luck!!

Answer 6

In this sentence, you would use the comma before "and":
I bought sugar, bread, oil, and salt."
In this sentence you would use the comma AFTER "and":
She went home and, after watching TV, fell asleep."
In this sentence, you would not need a comma at all:
The person who wrote all of these examples is good-looking and he is also very intelligent.

Answer 7

I'm pretty sure most of the time you dont put a comma before 'and', but you should always put a comma before 'but'.

Answer 8

Back when I was in school they told us that you could do it either way. They are both correct so you can put the comma there if you want or leave it out.

Answer 9

The comma is used when listing more than two items or when forming a compound sentence.

Ex. - I took my brother and my sister to the movies.
I took my brother, sister, and cousin to the movies.

You can take the car, but make sure you fill up the gas tank.
I had to go to the dentist this morning, and I had to go to the grocery store this afternoon.

Answer 10

thats a really good question!!

well i was taought that when you are making a list or nameing things the "and" is already the last comma. now my language art teacher says that you still put the comma. so i am really confused.