Comma before or after and

    is there a comma before a conjunction
    is there a comma before a subordinating conjunction
    is there a comma before a coordinating conjunction
    is there always a comma before a conjunction
  • Is there a comma before a conjunction

    • Comma before conjunction in a list.

    Is a comma a conjunction

    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:

    • I like pies, and she likes cakes.
    • I like pies and cakes.
    • I like pies, scones, and cakes.
      • (This is correct for regions, like America, that use the serial comma.)
    • I like pies, scones and cakes.

      Comma before but

    • Comma with coordinating conjunction example
    • Comma before conjunction in a list
    • Comma before or after but examples
    • Comma with a conjunction example

      • (This is correct for regions, like most of the UK, that does not use the serial comma.)

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

    "And" is a conjunction. Two other common conjunctionsare "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.

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

    Mark is scared of

      is there always a comma before a coordinating conjunction
      does there have to be a comma before a conjunction