PR #
Compound Sentences
Compound Sentence: contains two independent clauses connected with a
comma and a coordinating conjunction OR a semicolon (if the two ideas
are closely related).
Independent Clause (IC): a group of words with a subject and a verb that
expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
Coordinating Conjunctions:
For
(similar
in
meaning
to
because)
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
(similar
in
meaning
to
however)
So
Pattern #1
Independent clause,
FANBOYS
independent clause.
Ex: Shakespeare wrote many sonnets, but he is most widely known
for his plays.
**CAUTION: Not all FANBOYS join two simple sentences (independent
clauses). If they are not joining two simple sentences, do not use a comma.
Pattern #2
Independent clause;
independent clause.
Ex: Shakespeare was a prolific writer; he penned hundreds of plays
and poems.
**CAUTION: The word that follows the semicolon IS NOT CAPITALIZED.
Pattern #3
Independent clause;
conjunctive adverb ,
independent clause.
Ex: Shakespeare wrote many sonnets; however, he is most widely
known for his plays.
**CAUTION: The conjunctive adverb may look like a coordinating
conjunction, but it is not as strong. Therefore, the semicolon is used to link
the two main clauses, and the comma is used to set off the conjunctive adverb
from its main clause.
Common Conjunctive Adverbs:
accordingly,
also,
anyway,
besides,
certainly,
consequently,
finally,
further,
furthermore,
hence,
however,
incidentally,
indeed,
instead,
likewise.
meanwhile.
moreover,
namely,,
nevertheless,
next,
nonetheless,
now,
otherwise,
similarly,
still,
then,
thereafter,
therefore,
thus,
undoubtedly,
BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS!!
NOT a
FANBOYS
!!
1. INCORRECT: Sandy felt chagrin when she burped in class because all the
kids laughed at her.
CORRECT: Sandy felt chagrin when she burped in class, for all the kids
laughed at her.
NOT an independent
clause (can’t stand alone
as a sentence)
2. INCORRECT: Steve ruefully confessed to the murder, and was arrested
on the spot.
CORRECT: Steve ruefully confessed to the murder, and he was arrested
on the spot.
NOT an independent
clause (can’t stand alone
as a sentence)
3. INCORRECT: After he found her fingerprints at the crime scene,
Detective Goulash deduced that Robyn was the culprit.
CORRECT: He found her fingerprints at the crime scene, so Detective
Goulash deduced that Robyn was the culprit.
RUN-ON: two independent clauses
“mushed” together without a
conjunction
4. INCORRECT: Paul realized he was lost inside the cornfield labyrinth he
started shouting for help.
CORRECT: Paul realized he was lost inside the cornfield labyrinth, so he
started shouting for help.
COMMA SPLICE: comma alone
can’t join 2 independent clauses
5. INCORRECT: April used chicanery to convince her parents to buy her a
new phone, she told them hers was broken.
CORRECT: April used chicanery to convince her parents to buy her a new
phone, for she told them hers was broken.