Another grammar question

[LimpyLionel]

I've seen some sentences with an and after a comma, and some with not.

Here's a couple of examples of what I have seen. But which is correct?

A - My favourite films are 'Goodfellas', 'Apocalypse Now', and 'Raging Bull'.

B - My favourite films are 'Goodfellas', 'Apocalypse Now', and 'Raging Bull'.

+

A. My brother, my cousin and my uncle, all came with me to Ibiza last year.

B. My brother, my cousin, and my uncle, all came with me to Ibiza last year.

And can you give me some examples when to use a comma, and when not to use it.

Thanks. ;-)

[LimpyLionel]

Example A again.

A - My favourite films are 'Goodfellas', 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Raging Bull'.

B - My favourite films are 'Goodfellas', 'Apocalypse Now', and 'Raging Bull'.

[maclarencat]

You do not use a comma before and

[ladyalex]

I was always taught not to use a comma before 'and'.

However, I believe that there is a school of thought that says it is acceptable. Possibly the 'Oxford comma'.
I'll look it up and get back to you .

[Twirls]

I would say the following are correct:

My favourite films are "Goodfellas", Apocalypse Now" and "Raging Bull". (ie no comma before and)

My brother, my cousin and my uncle all came with me to Ibiza last year.

[ladyalex]

http://oxforddictionaries.com/page/oxfordcomma

[LimpyLionel]

Thanks guys. ;-)

[factor-fiction]

The American approach is to use the Oxford comma.
I quite like it in this example: "The Union Flag is red, white, and blue."

[carmalee]

That's really interesting Factor 30 cos I would never have used a comma before a congunction.

[boxtops]

Lionel, I am not answering any of these any more - this question is almost exactly the same as the one you posted only a couple of weeks ago, where you had loads of answers all giving you the information that you are now asking for again. This is getting tedious.

[boxtops]

Lionel - apologies, that sounded a bit rude - but these questions are very similar each time.

[gen2]

I feel that a comma can help distinguish the different uses of the conjunction in sentences like the following:

The restaurant order was for liver and bacon, fish and chips, and mince and tatties.

[factor-fiction]

I agree gen2- sometimes there are so many ands in a sentence that I feel the need to insert commas. An example might be: "John and Mary took their son and daughter to the park and ate fish and chips and jelly and ice cream as they walked..."

[LimpyLionel]

boxtops - With respect, don't answer, then. And the questions are not the same.

[Ric.ror]

Lionel I don't think you should start a sentence with 'and'

[Ric.ror]

;0))

[sherrardk]

Just wondering, but why are you so interested?

[EcclesCake]

From a rather old memory the example I was given at school was a shopping list..

Milk, cheese, bread, and butter.

The comma was to distinguish between a loaf of bread and a pat of butter versus a slice (or slices) of buttered bread.

[LimpyLionel]

Ric.roc - There's nothing wrong with starting a sentence with 'and'.

[DTCwordfan]

He's at it again, Mr Convolution.........note the comma.

"and" is not preceded by a comma, usually.....unless there is a need for very strong stress before. Twirls etc are right on this.

gen2 is also right; that is one one of those exceptions where stress comes into play.

So is boxtops, all a bit of a yawn re the repetition. Why don't you buy a good grammar book and spare us the agony?

[DTCwordfan]

wit: http://www.grammarbook.com/english_rules.asp

I will get my 10% commission.