Comma before "And"

Using a Comma before "And"

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The Quick Answer

Do you use a comma before "and"? Unfortunately, it's not a yes/no question. There are three main rules:

(1) Use a comma before "and" if it merges two complete sentences into one.

I like pies, and she likes cakes.

(2) Do not use a comma before "and" if it joins two list items.

I like pies and cakes.

(3) With two or more list items, use a comma if your region uses the serial comma.

I like pies, scones, and cakes.
I like pies, scones and cakes.

More about Using a Comma before "And" and Other Conjunctions

"And" is a conjunction. Two other common conjunctions are "or" and "but." (There are others, but these three are by far the most common.)

Unfortunately, the rules governing when to use a comma before "and" are not simple because it depends how the conjunction is being used and what writing convention you're following.

Let's start with the main rule and add the detail later.

The Main Rule

Use a comma before "and" (or any conjunction) that joins two sentences into one. For example:

Mark is scared of spiders

, and

he hates cockroaches.

When two sentences are turned into one (as above), the sentences become independent clauses (an independent clause is a clause that could stand alone as a sentence).

Mark is scared of spiders.
He hates cockroaches.

When "and" joins two "sentences," a comma is required before it. In this example, the conjunction is "and," but this rule is true for any conjunction (e.g., "but," "or").

Another Example of "And" Joining Two Independent Clauses

I will read your plan, and I may steal it.

Let's look at this sentence again:

I will read your plan

, and

I may steal it.

Both halves are independent clauses (i.e., both would work as sentences). Therefore, a comma is required before the conjunction "and."

A More Complicated Example

Here is a slightly more complicated example:

Applicants must be able to tell jokes and sing, and they must be able to dance.

Let's look at this sentence again:

Applicants must be able to tell jokes and sing

, and

they must be able to dance.

This is two independent clauses joined by the conjunction "and." Therefore, a comma is required before "and."

Example of a Conjunction Not Joining Two Independent Clauses

This sentence does not contain two independent clauses:

Applicants must be able to sing and be classically trained dancers.

Let's look at this sentence again:

Applicants must be able to sing

and

be classically trained dancers.

In this example, "be classically trained dancers" could not be a sentence. It's not an independent clause. So, the conjunction "and" is not joining two independent clauses. Therefore, a comma is not required before "and." The "and" in this sentence is just joining two list items: "be able to sing" and "be classically trained dancers."

Some Real-Life Examples

Here are some real-life examples with commas used correctly before conjunctions:

A little dog can start a hare, but it takes a big one to catch it.
Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in my bath, and she'd come in and sink my boats. (Actor Woody Allen)
The play was a great success, but the audience was a disaster. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (British Prime Minister Winston Churchill)

This example is wrong. There should be a comma before the "and."

Drink is the curse of the land. It makes you fight with your neighbor. It makes you shoot at your landlord and it makes you miss him. (Well-cited Irish quotation by anon)

No Comma Necessary for Short Clauses

Be aware that if the two "sentences" (i.e., the independent clauses) are very short, it is acceptable – for style purposes – to omit the comma.

Craig joined the Army and Darren joined the Marines.
Craig joined the Army, and Darren joined the Marines.

commas before conjunctions like 'and,' 'but,' and 'or'

More about Using a Comma before "And"

Don't Use a Comma to Join Two List Items

Do not use a comma before "and" (or any conjunction) that joins two list items. For example:

Burger and fries
She would only drink water and wine.
We have never been to Europe, or Asia.

The Rules with Three List Items

When there are three or more list items, things get complicated because there are two conventions. As a general observation, those following US writing conventions use a comma before the conjunction in a list of three or more things, but those following UK writing conventions do not. For example:

burger, shake, and fries ()
burger, shake and fries ()
burger, shake and fries ()

We have never been to Europe, Asia, or South America. ()
We have never been to Europe, Asia or South America. ()
We have never been to Europe, Asia or South America. ()

The comma before a conjunction in a list is known as an Oxford comma or a serial comma. Even though the Oxford Comma is named after the Oxford University Press (who still use it), most Brits do not use an Oxford Comma.

Here is an infographic summarizing all the rules of using a comma before "and":

Too Many Commas? Use a Semicolon

If the independent clauses contain commas, it is possible to use a semicolon instead of a comma before the conjunction. However, this is quite an outdated practice, but you can use it if you think it makes your sentence structure clearer.