Enumerations in Russian - is an `и` needed?

Question

When listing things in Russian language using commatas, do you use an и before the last thing (e.g. столы, стулья и полки or just столы, стулья, полки)? I've seen some internet pages omitting the `и` but it's not explained anywhere so I don't know.

Answer 1

Both are possible. Context rules.

An imporatnt concern: do not use comma before "и" when enumerating things. There is no such thing as Oxford comma in Russian.

Answer 2

Hello,

The conjunction И extremely and widely used in Russian, and it has lots of cases when comma should follow by И, or before, or even both together.

В комнате стояли столы, стулья И полки. - nothing more (but there should be a context - either nothing more from furniture, or nothing more literally) - but the accent is made for a limited number of things. it is the most used way even if there are other things (Russians will never thing of such complicated things in grammar) - it is 100% correct too even if there is something else

В комнате стояли столы, стулья, полки. - the list could continue but the most important that will bring understanding is that the room is not empty and quite heavy and large objects are there.