do you put a comma before and

Whether or not to use a comma before "and" depends on the specific context and sentence structure.

In some cases, a comma before "and" can help to clarify the meaning of a sentence or to indicate a pause in the thought process. This is known as an Oxford comma or serial comma, and it is typically used before the final item in a list of three or more items.

For example:

• "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas." (Uses an Oxford comma before "and")

• "I bought apples, oranges and bananas." (Does not use an Oxford comma)

In other cases, a comma before "and" may not be necessary or may even be incorrect. It depends on the grammar and structure of the sentence.

For example:

• "She ate toast and jam for breakfast." (Does not use a comma before "and")

• "He washed the dishes, and then he went to bed." (Uses a comma before "and" to separate two independent clauses)