Is the word "and" self-punctuating?

[SurreyGuy]

Can someone please educate me as to whether the word "and" is self-punctuating, i.e. does it need to be preceded by a comma?

T.I.A.

[Ethel]

Usually 'and' should not be preceded by a comma eg fish, peas and chips.

[SurreyGuy]

That's what I thought - thanks.

[butterflies]

Ah but, read this;
http://www.getitwriteonline.com/archive/021201 .htm

[SurreyGuy]

Oh ******! :o)

Thanks

[kempie]

Ah yes, the good old "Oxford comma"...

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/abo utother/oxfordcomma

[SurreyGuy]

Oh for goodness sake! :o)

Thanks all - isn't the English language wonderful?!

[emmagleb]

I always had it drilled into me at school that there was no comma before an 'and'. A comma is a pause, so when you're listing thinks, like (there was one!) fish [pause], chips [pause], peas [pause] AND something else. An 'and' is a break in the sentence in itself so doesn't need a preceeding pause.

Thats what I always thought!

[SurreyGuy]

emmagleb...............I always thought that, too! :o)

[Quizmonster]

In the works of many of the best writers, the word 'and' has frequently followed a comma...or even a full stop!
If a couple are having a row, they may exchange harsh words then fall into a silence. Some time later, one of them may restart hostilities by saying, "And another thing..."
If an author is writing such a scenario, there is no earthly reason why he/she should not write exactly what I have just written above. ..ie a full stop followed by and.

Almost every time I read such phrases as "I always had it drilled into me at school..." my reaction is to ask "Where...oh where...did this person's English teacher graduate from?" That's because the 'drilled' information is almost invariably nonsense.

[SurreyGuy]

Quizmonster, I COMPLETELY agree with your reference to "And another thing........." as that can be see as reporting a factual instance verbatim, i.e. it WAS said.

The English language is WONDERFUL! :o)