When to use a comma before "or":
* In a series: If "or" is part of a list of three or more items, you typically use a comma before it.
* Example: "I like apples, oranges, or bananas."
* To separate independent clauses: If "or" connects two complete sentences, you use a comma before it.
* Example: "We can go to the park, or we can stay home and watch a movie."
When not to use a comma before "or":
* In a simple phrase: If "or" connects two words or short phrases, you usually don't need a comma.
* Example: "Do you want tea or coffee?"
* To separate dependent clauses: If "or" is part of a dependent clause that modifies another clause, you usually don't need a comma.
* Example: "I'm going to the store, even if it's raining or snowing."
The Best Approach:
The most reliable way to determine if a comma is needed before "or" is to consider the grammatical structure of the sentence. If the sentence is confusing or unclear without a comma, then a comma is likely necessary.
Let me know if you have a specific example you'd like me to analyze!