Commas in Lists
When there are more than two items in a list, they should be separated using commas. The last item is usually preceded with
'and', 'or' or 'but'. (These are called 'conjunctions'.) There is normally no need to put a comma before the conjunction.
Examples:
 The old vicar, the new vicar, the pub landlord, the mayor and the chairman
were at the meeting. 
(no comma before "and")
I have not seen any foxes, badgers or deer in these woods this year.
(no comma before "or")
However, on occasion, it is appropriate to place a comma before the conjunction in order to avoid any ambiguity.
Examples:
The news will be shown after Dangermouse, and Rug Rats.
(Without the comma, readers could think that "Dangermouse and Rug Rats"
is one programme.)
The emblem is an amalgamation of the British and Irish flags, the Stars
and Stripes, and the Hammer and Sickle.
(The word "and" appears lots of times in this example. The comma before
the "and" makes it easier for the reader.)
I need to see DC Jones, PC Pinner, and PC Hoyles in my office
immediately. 
(no ambiguity - comma not required)
She went to the shops for eggs, milk, and butter.
Often in creative writing, there is a need to use several adjectives (describing words - see lesson
Adjectives). A list of adjectives is governed by rules that are slightly different (more relaxed):
For TWO adjectives:
vast, inhospitable moor (with a comma)
vast and inhospitable moor (with "and")
vast inhospitable moor (with nothing)
For THREE or more adjectives:
vast, inhospitable, windy moor (commas between)
vast, inhospitable and windy moor (comma(s) between and then "and")
vast inhospitable windy moor (nothing between)
vast inhospitable and windy moor (nothing and then "and")
There is no need to worry. In short, you cannot go wrong with two adjectives and using
three is rare. (Lining up adjectives in a row is called 'enumeration of
adjectives'.)
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BEWARE CONFUSION WITH AN EXTRA COMMA
Commas can be used to introduce additional information (called parenthesis). For example:
 My friend, Simon, lives near the concrete cows in Milton Keynes.
(In this example, commas are being used to add information about "my
friend"'.)
Therefore, if a comma is used unnecessarily before a conjunction in a list, it could look like parenthesis and cause confusion. For example:
I left the pub with my friend, Simon, and Terry.
(In this sentence, I left the pub with two people: Simon and Terry.)
I left the pub with my friend, Simon and Terry.
(In this sentence, I left the pub with three people: my unnamed
friend, Simon and Terry.)
This is why you should avoid using a comma before the conjunction in a list.
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Common grammar errors
