do you add a comma after a word in a series before the word "and"?

Answer 1

Yes you do. It was abandoned for a while, but it should be used to avoid confusion. Example sentence that might be confusing without the comma (from source below): The menu for the class picnic will feature green beans, stewed apples, macaroni and cheese and okra and tomatoes.

Answer 2

The 'Oxford comma' is an optional comma before the word 'and' at the end of a list:

We sell books, videos, and magazines.
It is so called because it was traditionally used by printer's readers and editors at Oxford University Press. Sometimes it can be necessary for clarity when the items in the list are not single words:

These items are available in black and white, red and yellow, and blue and green.
Some people do not realize that the Oxford comma is acceptable, possibly because they were brought up with the supposed rule (which Fowler would call a 'superstition') about putting punctuation marks before and.

Answer 3

Yes. Words that are distinct and separate from each other or do not belong to a group in a series should be separated by commas before the word "and."

Examples:

the big, brown, dirty, and ferocious fox (distinct from each other}

the small, square, red and black piece of paper (there's no comma after red and before and because the colors red and black are related to each other or they belong to the same group)

Answer 4

Yes, but the comma has to be on the last word before "and".

Answer 5

Many people omit that comma, but I think that's a mistake. I always use a comma in that situation.

Answer 6

Yes and No. Many people were taught that you did have to when writing but realy it is an optional thing. You can write a sentence
I like baseball, basketball, and hockey.
or you can write
I like baseball, basketball and hockey.
If you dont believe me go ask an English teacher

Answer 7

The typically usage used to be that you would write, "I bought cards, books and paper."
Now we are seeing more usage that looks like this: " I bought cards, books, and paper."
The first example is more typical and probably safer to use.

Answer 8

yes you do.

like for example:

the boy took his shoes, his socks, and his undies to the park.

yes, very odd sentence, but you get it.

Answer 9

Yes you do.
I have roses, tulips, and marigolds in my flower garden.

Answer 10

Whew, you should make that question a little clearer, hon.