Do compound predicates need commas?

A compound predicate with only two verbs does not use a comma (e.g., “I made my bed and took a shower”).

For a compound predicate with more than two verbs, a comma is used to separate the verbs or verb phrases, and the coordinating conjunction (e.g., “and”) is placed before the last verb.

  • If you use the Oxford comma (or serial comma), you place a comma before the conjunction (e.g., “I cooked, cleaned, and did laundry all day”).
  • If you do not use the Oxford comma, you do not place a comma before the conjunction (e.g., “I cooked, cleaned and did laundry all day”).