Using a Comma before "And""And" is a conjunction. Two other common conjunctions are "or" and "but." (There are others, but these three are by far the most common.) Show
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).
When "and" joins two "sentences" (i.e., independent clauses), 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
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 ExampleHere is a slightly more complicated example:
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 ClausesThis sentence does not contain two independent clauses:
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 ExamplesHere are some real-life examples with commas used correctly before conjunctions: This example is wrong. There should be a comma before the "and."
No Comma Necessary for Short ClausesBe aware that if the two "sentences" (i.e., the independent clauses) are very short, it is acceptable – for style purposes – to omit the comma. An Infographic about Using a Comma before a ConjunctionHere is an infographic summarizing the use of a comma with a conjunction that joins two independent clauses: More about Using a Comma before "And"Don't Use a Comma to Join Two List ItemsDo not use a comma before "and" (or any conjunction) that joins two list items. For example: The Rules with Three List ItemsWhen 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: 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": Read more about conjunctions and commas. Read more about commas in lists. Read more about the Oxford Comma. Too Many Commas? Use a SemicolonIf 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.
Read more about using semicolons before conjunctions. Printable TestHelp Us Improve Grammar Monster
Find Us Quicker!
Next lesson > |