Sorry for wanting help again, teachers! Thanks

Dear teachers,

I've got a punctuation problem here. Please advise, thanks!

Amanda rushed down the stairs, tore open the envelope, (Do I need a comma before "and"?) and found an invitation.

Many thanks in advance, teachers! ^o^

[Tdol]

It's optional- you can put it in or leave it out.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Helped Wanted

Dear teachers,

I've got a punctuation problem here. Please advise, thanks!

Amanda rushed down the stairs, tore open the envelope, (Do I need a comma before "and"?) and found an invitation.

Many thanks in advance, teachers! ^o^

This issue is heavily debated in circles in which such things are debated at all.

In my opinion, the penultimate (next to last) item in a series should always be followed by a comma (before the conjunction). This will eliminate confusion in some lists (but not this one). :D

[Tdol]

I tend to use a comma before 'and' with lists: called the Oxford comma in BE.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by tdol

I tend to use a comma before 'and' with lists: called the Oxford comma in BE.

I'll remember that.