Punctuation and coordinating conjunctions

Question

I've learned that you should use a comma before coordinating conjunctions when both clauses are independent.

For example:

A. I like tea, but I don't like coffee.

B. I like tea, and I like coffee.

How should I punctuate when the last clause ends like this?

C. I like tea, but not coffee

D. I like tea, and coffee

Or

E. I like tea but not coffee

F. I like tea and coffee

I'm quite sure F is correct because it follows the coordinating conjunction punctuation rule that says a comma isn't needed when adding an item to an independent clause. "Coffee" being the item here.

I'm not sure about E because I don't know if "but not coffee" = I don't like coffee, making it an independent clause.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

GPY · Accepted Answer

(D) is wrong in the way that you probably intend it. If you want to show a pause, e.g. to signify an afterthought, a dash or ellipsis is clearer, e.g. "I like tea ... and coffee."

(C), (E) and (F) are OK.

The comma rules applying to these kinds of situation that you might read about are not set in stone. Rather than automatically following the supposed rules, it is good to ask whether a comma helps readability, or, with experience, just "looks right". Generally speaking, commas are more useful with longer and more complicated clauses and less important for short and simple ones.

Punctuation and coordinating conjunctions

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