Do you put a comma before the word and?

You generally don't put a comma before "and" unless it's part of a series of three or more items.

Here's a breakdown:

No comma before "and":

* I like apples and oranges.

* She went to the store and bought groceries.

Comma before "and":

* I like apples, oranges, and bananas.

* He went to the store, bought groceries, and cooked dinner.

Exceptions:

* When "and" joins two independent clauses: In this case, a comma is always necessary.

* For clarity: Sometimes a comma is used before "and" even in a series of two items if it helps avoid confusion.

Example:

* "The cat, and the dog, went for a walk." (This comma helps distinguish between the cat and the dog)

Ultimately, the best way to know when to use a comma before "and" is to understand the structure of your sentence and how the word "and" is functioning.