A sentence can have two or more simple subjects that share one verb, or two or more verbs that share one subject. The parts are joined by a conjunction, usually and or or.
- Compound subject: Ana and Leo sang.
- Compound verb: Leo sang and danced.
- Both: Ana and Leo sang and danced.
Key idea
A compound subject or a compound verb still makes one clause and one sentence. Don’t put a comma before the and of a compound verb.
Why it works
Compound parts let you say two things at once without repeating: “Leo sang. Leo danced.” becomes “Leo sang and danced.” A comma before and signals a second sentence is coming, so it would mislead the reader here.
Worked example: The comma question
Which is right: “Mia washed the dishes, and dried them” or “Mia washed the dishes and dried them”?
- After and comes dried them: no new subject.
- So washed … and dried is a compound verb in one clause.
- No comma is needed.
Answer: “Mia washed the dishes and dried them.”
Common mistake
Mistaking a compound verb for two sentences and adding a comma: “She ran, and jumped.” Check what follows and. If it has its own subject (“and she jumped”), the comma belongs; if not, leave it out.