Making Compound Sentences

Characteristics of a sentence: A capital letter at the beginning A period, question mark, or

exclamation point at the end A subject, stated only once A complete verb phrase Standard word order An independent clause

Simple sentences

contain one independent clause (one subject and one verb phrase)– My brother is traveling in South

America this week.– Did you remember to lock the door?

More about simple sentences The subject and the verb in a

simple sentence may be made of several words.– My father, sister, brother and I visited

the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and The Empire State Building on Thursday.

– You would have been surprised!

Compound Sentences

contain two or more independent clauses

combine them using – a comma and a coordinating

conjunction – a semicolon– a semicolon + transition + comma

Try it yourself

Analyze the paragraphs on p. 13 of Grammar Troublespots. Can you find the compound sentences?

Compound sentences with coordinating conjunctions Use a comma before, not after, the

conjunction. Use the mnemonic FANBOYS to

remember the conjunctions.

FANBOYS

F for English is studied by more people than any other language, for it has become the language of business, tourism, science, and diplomacy.

A and Jose majored in physics, and his brother studied art history.

N nor I have never visited Venezuela, nor do I have much hope of going there soon.

B but Liliana studied calculus in high school, but she will be required to take it again here at the university.

O or In this course students can write a research paper, or they can take a final examination.

Y yet We have worked very hard on this project, yet we are not certain our work will be rewarded.

S so The project is due on Monday, so I have to work this weekend rather than relax with my friends.

Try it yourself

Without looking at the FANBOYS chart, write the coordinating conjunction that each letter stands for. Then write an example of a sentence that uses that word. Check the position of the comma carefully.

Compound sentences with semicolons Use a semicolon when the meaning of

the two independent clauses is closely related:– Kevin wants to take a vacation in the

mountains; Tracy would rather spend a week at the beach.

– Jim drives a station wagon; his wife, Elaine, has a sports car.

– Students lead busy lives; they often eat fast food.

Compound sentences with semicolons and transitions Use a semicolon and a transition to

clarify the relationship between sentences.

Use a comma after the transition.– Kevin wants to take a vacation in the

mountains; however, Tracy would rather spend a week at the beach.

– Jim drives a station wagon; on the other hand, his wife, Elaine, has a sports car.

– Students lead busy lives; as a result, they often eat fast food.

More about transitions

You can also use transition words between sentences. The first sentence ends with a period and the second begins with a transition word followed by a comma.– Kevin wants to take a vacation in the

mountains. However, Tracy would rather spend a week at the beach.

Problems with semicolons

Don’t begin a line with a semicolon:– X I have a degree in computer

science ;however, I cannot repair computers. Don’t use a semicolon where a comma is

required:– X Exercise can reduce stress. In fact; studies

show that even moderate exercise is effective. Don’t use a comma where a semicolon is

required:– X We worked all weekend on the project,

however, we didn’t finish on time.

The placement of transitions Transitions can also be used in the

middle or at the end of the second independent clause:– The little girl had always hated spiders; in

fact, she was terrified of them.– The little girl had always hated spiders. She

was, in fact, terrified of them.– The little girl had always hated spiders. She

was terrified of them, in fact.

Useful transitions

meaning words

addition (and) also, additionally, in addition, moreover, furthermore

cause/effect (for) (so) therefore, thus, as a result, as a consequence, consequently, for this reason

choice (or) instead, on the other hand, otherwise

similarities (and) also, as well as, by comparison, similarly, likewise

concession (yet) (but) nevertheless, still, however, nonetheless

contrast (but) (yet) however, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless

contradiction (but) (yet)

on the contrary

emphasis (and) in fact, indeed, as a matter of fact, undoubtedly

summary (and) after all, all in all, finally, overall, in conclusion, in summary, in sum, in closing

Try it yourself

Choose five transitions you’ve never used before but would like to learn.

Write model sentences in your notebook.

Use one of these sentences for your daily practice.

Run-on sentences

A run-on sentence is two independent clauses joined together with no punctuation. You need a semicolon or a period:– X The man bought a car his wife didn’t know

about it.– The man bought a car. His wife didn’t know

about it.– The man bought a car; his wife didn’t know

about it.

Try it yourself

1. There are both advantages and disadvantages to living with family members rather than living alone I would rather live with my family.

2. When people live with their families they always have something to do they can play with brothers and sisters, talk with parents, and get advice from grandparents.

3. In contrast, when people live alone, they may become bored they may have not one to talk to.

4. In many families older brothers and sisters help younger brothers and sisters for example my older brother explains difficult exercises to me and listens to my problems.

5. Because of these advantages, I would rather live with my family than live alone I plan to live with my family until I get married.

Comma Splices

A comma splice is two independent clauses joined with a comma. You can fix it by adding a coordinating conjunction after the comma:– X The man bought a car, his wife didn’t know

about it.– The man bought a car, but his wife didn’t

know about it. You can also fix it by creating separate

sentences, adding a semicolon, or using subordination.

Remember…

A transition with commas is not enough to separate two independent clauses. You need a semicolon.– X The man bought a car, however, his

wife didn’t know about it.– The man bought a car; however, his

wife didn’t know about it.

What’s wrong here?

It was close to 7:00 pm, I began to prepare dinner.

My grandparents have a small field they grow vegetables there.

It was mid-June when we went to Florida, we spent the whole summer there.

On the way back to the hotel, we went to visit Saranac Lake.

He picked the flowers, two hours later they died.

– This exercise is from Grammar Troublespots, by Ann Raimes, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1992, p. 16