Comma rules

[selflearner]

Fifteen uncooked popcorn kernels and grains of salt littered the front of Robert's shirt as he slouched in the theater seat.

Coffee brewed on the counter top, and bacon fried on the stove. Snuggling under the covers for a few more moments of sleep, Clyde relished his first Saturday free from work.


Can someone explain why there is no comma after kernels and before "and" in first sentence. And why there is a comma after top and before "and" in second sentence.

I am always confused with the comma rules!

 

[Barb_D]

Many comma "rules" are conventions or guidelines.

Your second example has fragments as the first "sentence" so the rules are already out the window.

 

[Tdol]

Many comma "rules" are conventions or guidelines.

This is made more complicated by the fact that many users don't know the conventions and guidelines.

 

[MikeNewYork]

There is no reason for a comma after "kernels". "Kernels" and "grains" are two parts of a compound subject.

In the second, "and" separates two independent clauses. A comma is normal there.