comma anyone?

[ireneirene]

Hi Beautiful People,
When do you use a comma before the word "and"?
Which is correct?
She is an understanding, responsible, and reliable daughter.
She is an understanding, responsible and reliable daughter.

[SweetMommaSue]

Hello ireneirene!

There are two schools of thought on this one. I don't have my sources handy, but I can tell you that both are acceptable. It's mostly a matter of personal preference. I use the comma prior to "and" when separating two independent clauses, but not in a list of items. That's my preference. So, in this case, feel free to do what seems more natural to you. You will be safe no matter what.

Welcome to the forums!

Smiles!
Sweet Momma Sue

[ireneirene]

Hi SweetMommaSue...A Million thanks....

[Casiopea]

Welcome, too.

I agree with SMS.

In addition:

She is three separate things:
(1) understanding, (2) responsible, and (3) reliable.
=> according to the speaker, those three things are not related.

She is two separate things:
(1) understanding, (2) responsible and reliable.
=> according to the speaker, responsible and reliable are related in some way, and so the comma is dropped.

Given that example, there's not much difference between "responsible and reliable" and "responsible", "reliable", but there will be times when you'll want to separate the last two words with a comma. That comma changes the sentence's meaning.

All the best.

[ireneirene]

Big thanks to You, Beautiful People

[SweetMommaSue]

Welcome, too.

I agree with SMS.

In addition:

She is three separate things:
(1) understanding, (2) responsible, and (3) reliable.
=> according to the speaker, those three things are not related.

She is two separate things:
(1) understanding, (2) responsible and reliable.
=> according to the speaker, responsible and reliable are related in some way, and so the comma is dropped.

Given that example, there's not much difference between "responsible and reliable" and "responsible", "reliable", but there will be times when you'll want to separate the last two words with a comma. That comma changes the sentence's meaning.

All the best.

How about that! I just came across the same rule in one of my grammar references--how the placement of that comma can change the meaning of the sentence. Always reading and always learning!

Thank you, Casiopea!