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Why do we use "and" between the last two items in a series, as in "This morning I ate eggs, toast, and bacon"? Why not just say, "This morning I ate eggs, toast, bacon"?

I am a community college English composition instructor. One of my students asked me this question, and I couldn't provide an answer. I would like to be able to give him an answer, and now I am curious myself. Please help!

Why do we use "and" between the last two items in a series, as in "This morning I ate eggs, toast, and bacon"? Why not just say, "This morning I ate eggs, toast, bacon"?

I am a community college English composition instructor. One of my students asked me this question, and I couldn't provide an answer. I would like to be able to give him an answer, and now I am curious myself. Please help!

Why do we use "and" between the last two items in a series, as in "This morning I ate eggs, toast, and bacon"? Why not just say, "This morning I ate eggs, toast, bacon"?

I am a community college English composition instructor. One of my students asked me this question, and I couldn't provide an answer. I would like to be able to give him an answer, and now I am curious myself. Please help!

Revision history [back]

Why do we use "and" between the last two items in a series, as in "This morning I ate eggs, toast, and bacon"? Why not just say, "This morning I ate eggs, toast, bacon"?

Why do we use "and" between the last two items in a series, as in "This morning I ate eggs, toast, and bacon"? Why not just say, "This morning I ate eggs, toast, bacon"?

Why do we use "and" between the last two items in a series, as in "This morning I ate eggs, toast, and bacon"? Why not just say, "This morning I ate eggs, toast, bacon"?