The Compound Predicate as
a Word-saver
Lesson 10
Joseph C. Blumenthal
In a compound sentence, the
conjunction and, but, or or stands
between two word groups, each with
a subject and a predicate.
Hank swung the ball, but he missed
it by a foot.
What is the subject of the part
of the sentence that follows the
conjunction but?
In a compound sentence, the
conjunction and, but, or or stands
between two word groups, each with
a subject and a predicate.
Hank swung the ball, but he missed
it by a foot.
What is the subject of the part
of the sentence that follows the
conjunction but? he
Hank swung the ball, but (he) missed
it by a foot.
Would this sentence still make good
sense if we omitted the subject he
that follows the conjunction? (yes, no)
Hank swung the ball, but (he) missed
it by a foot.
Would this sentence still make good
sense if we omitted the subject he
that follows the conjunction? (yes, no)
Hank swung the ball but missed it by
a foot.
This is no longer a compound sentence
because, after the conjunction but, we
now have only a (subject, predicate).
Hank swung the ball but missed it by
a foot.
This is no longer a compound sentence
because, after the conjunction but, we
now have only a (subject, predicate).
Hank swung the ball but missed it by
a foot.
This sentence has two predicates.
Each predicate makes a statement about
the same subject, _____.
Hank swung the ball but missed it by
a foot.
This sentence has two predicates.
Each predicate makes a statement about
the same subject, Hank .
a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it
by a foot.
b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a
foot.
Sentence a is a compound sentence because
the conjunction but connects two sentences.
Sentence b is a simple sentence with a
compound predicate because the conjunction
but connects two ________.
a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it
by a foot.
b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a
foot.
Sentence a is a compound sentence because
the conjunction but connects two sentences.
Sentence b is a simple sentence with a
compound predicate because the conjunction
but connects two predicates.
A careful writer streamlines his writing by
eliminating all useless words. Words that add
nothing to the meaning, clearness, or
interest of a sentence should be dropped.
a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it
by a foot.
b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a
foot.
Which sentence says the same thing in
fewer words? (a, b)
A careful writer streamlines his writing by
eliminating all useless words. Words that add
nothing to the meaning, clearness, or
interest of a sentence should be dropped.
a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it
by a foot.
b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a
foot.
Which sentence says the same thing in
fewer words? (a, b)
Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up
into a tree.
What is the subject of the part of the
sentence which follows the conjunction
and? ____
Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up
into a tree.
What is the subject of the part of the
sentence which follows the conjunction
and? _it_
Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up
into a tree.
Would this sentence still make good sense
if we omitted the subject it, which
follows the conjunction? (yes, no)
Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up
into a tree.
Would this sentence still make good sense
if we omitted the subject it, which
follows the conjunction? (yes, no)
Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up
into a tree.
Our word-saving device does not work here
because each predicate makes a
statement about (a different, the same)
subject.
Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up
into a tree.
Our word-saving device does not work here
because each predicate makes a
statement about (a different, the same)
subject.
Hank swung at the ball, but he mislead it
by a foot.
We can change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate
because both predicates make statements
about the same person, ________.
Hank swung at the ball, but he mislead it
by a foot.
We can change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate
because both predicates make statements
about the same person, __Hank__.
Bobby frightened the bird, and (it) flew
up into a tree.
We cannot change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate because
the first predicate makes a statement about
Bobby, and the second predicate makes a
statement about _______.
Bobby frightened the bird, and (it) flew
up into a tree.
We cannot change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate because
the first predicate makes a statement about
Bobby, and the second predicate makes a
statement about it or bird.
We can change a compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate only
when both predicates make statements about
the _______ subject.
We can change a compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate only
when both predicates make statements about
the __same__ subject.
The students went to England by boat. They
returned by plane.
In combining these two sentences, which word
would you omit? ________
The students went to England by boat. They
returned by plane.
In combining these two sentences, which word
would you omit? __They___
a. The coach went to the blackboard, and he
drew a diagram of the play.
b. The curtain went up, and the show began.
Which compound sentence can be changed to a
sentence with a compound predicate because
both predicates make statements about the
same subject? (a, b)
a. The coach went to the blackboard, and he
drew a diagram of the play.
b. The curtain went up, and the show began.
Which compound sentence can be changed to a
sentence with a compound predicate because
both predicates make statements about the
same subject? (a, b)
The coach went to the blackboard, and he drew
a diagram of the play.
The curtain went up, and the show began.
When we change a compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate, we
(keep, drop) the comma.
The coach went to the blackboard, and he drew
a diagram of the play.
The curtain went up, and the show began.
When we change a compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate, we
(keep, drop) the comma.
a. We won our first game, but we lost the
second.
b. We won our first game but lost our second.
No comma is used before a conjunction that
connects two parts of a compound (sentence,
predicate).
a. We won our first game, but we lost the
second.
b. We won our first game but lost our second.
No comma is used before a conjunction that
connects two parts of a compound (sentence,
predicate).
a. We heard a voice, but we couldn’t recognize
it.
b. We heard a voice, but couldn’t recognize it.
In which sentence should the comma before
the conjunction be dropped because it is not
a compound sentence? (a, b)
a. We heard a voice, but we couldn’t recognize
it.
b. We heard a voice, but couldn’t recognize
it.
In which sentence should the comma before
the conjunction be dropped because it is not
a compound sentence? (a, b)
a. A large tree had fallen and was blocking
traffic.
b. A large tree had fallen and traffic was
slowed down.
In which sentence should a comma be inserted
before the conjunction? (a, b)
a. A large tree had fallen and was blocking
traffic.
b. A large tree had fallen and traffic was
slowed down.
In which sentence should a comma be inserted
before the conjunction? (a, b)
The teacher liked the movie. She urged
her classes to see it.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
The teacher liked the movie. She urged
her classes to see it.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
The teacher liked the movie and urged
her classes to see it.
Should a comma be inserted before the
conjunction and? (yes, no)
The teacher liked the movie and urged
her classes to see it.
Should a comma be inserted before the
conjunction and? (yes, no)
We have good traffic laws. They are
strictly enforced.
If you were to combine these two sentences,
you would need to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
We have good traffic laws. They are
strictly enforced.
If you were to combine these two sentences,
you would need to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
We have good traffic laws and they are
strictly enforced.
Should a comma be inserted before the
conjunction and? (yes, no)
We have good traffic laws and they are
strictly enforced.
Should a comma be inserted before the
conjunction and? (yes, no)
The crowded bus stopped. It took on still
more people.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
The crowded bus stopped. It took on still
more people.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
Write the following answers on your
own sheet of paper.
In this and the following frames, combine each
pair of sentences, using a compound predicate
whenever possible. Indicate your answer by
writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Garvey made a two-base hit. The ball
game was over.
1. ________ _______ ________
Insert any necessary comma.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a
compound predicate whenever possible.
Indicate your answer by writing the
conjunction and the two words surrounding it.
Insert any necessary comma.
Paul wanted a date. He was too timid to
ask.
2. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a
compound sentence.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a
compound predicate whenever possible.
Indicate your answer by writing the
conjunction and the two words surrounding it.
Insert any necessary comma.
It was getting late. The children were
growing restless.
3. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a
compound sentence.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a
compound predicate whenever possible.
Indicate your answer by writing the
conjunction and the two words surrounding it.
Insert any necessary comma.
Most Americans want their children to
attend college. They will make great
sacrifices to send them.
4. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a
compound sentence.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a
compound predicate whenever possible.
Indicate your answer by writing the
conjunction and the two words surrounding it.
Insert any necessary comma.
You must be completely satisfied. We will
return your money.
5. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a
compound sentence.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a
compound predicate whenever possible.
Indicate your answer by writing the
conjunction and the two words surrounding it.
Insert any necessary comma.
My sister can play several instruments.
Her favorite is the violin.
6. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a
compound sentence.
Combine each pair of sentences, using a
compound predicate whenever possible.
Indicate your answer by writing the
conjunction and the two words surrounding it.
Insert any necessary comma.
Shall I write a new theme? Shall I revise
the old one?
7. ________ _______ ________
Since these are questions, you also
have to omit the word shall.
Sometimes we want the balanced effect of
a compound sentence even though a
compound predicate would express our
meaning in fewer words.
a. Fashions come and fashions go.
b. Fashions come and go.
Which sentence gives a more balanced
effect?
8. (a, b)
a. He couldn’t eat and couldn’t sleep.
b. He couldn’t eat, and he couldn’t sleep.
Which sentence is more effective because
of the repetition of the subject?
9. (a, b)
10. Except where we wish to produce a
special effect, we should try to save words
by using a compound (sentence, predicate).
You are done!!!