When do we put a comma before and?

This is a large topic.
Rule 1: A comma is used to separate two independent clauses in a sentence. [My mother stayed home, and my father traveled to Europe.]
Rule 2: A comma is optional in a series: I like Pepsi, Coke (,) and Sprite.

I'll let others add rules 3 through 20 (whatever they are).

Hi Philip,
Rule 1: A comma is used to separate two independent clauses in a sentence. [My mother stayed home, and my father traveled to Europe.]

Strangely, I had never heard this 'rule' in my life until I became involved with this Forum and some people wrote about it.

I find it hard to agree with it. Person

I used to put commas before and after restrictive clause when the following proposition did not expand the restrictive clause but the sentence as a whole only or so do I think.

Hi,
Would you like to write and post a few sentences, for comments?

Clive

I hate a cat that pees on your carpet, and a dog that smells like fish.

Hi,
I would say that a comma is OK here but not essential.

Do you know this joke?

A: My dog lost his nose in an accident.
B: Poor thing. How does it smell?
A: Terrible !

Clive

Nice pun. haha

CliveHi Philip,
Rule 1: A comma is used to separate two independent clauses in a sentence. [My mother stayed home, and my father traveled to Europe.]

I think that most writers' manuals agree that in the case of short clauses, the comma is optional. I just do it as a general rule, and then I don't have to worry about what "s

AlexandreAnotherWhen do we put a comma(",") before "and"?I appreciate your help.

1-Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things), including the last two. "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base." You may have learned that the comma before the "and" is unnecessary, which is fine if you're in control of things. However, there are situations in which, if you don't use this comma (especially when the list is complex or lengthy), th