Compound Subjects, Predicates, and Sentences
Topic
REVIEW:
Independent
Clause
(AKA Simple
Sentence)
Important Details/Examples
A clause that has a subject
and a verb AND can stand
on its own as a complete
sentence
S
V
Ex: Quinn leapt over the
puddle.
Consists of TWO or more
SIMPLE SUBJECTS
JOINED BY A
CONJUNCTION SUCH AS
Conjunctions: and, or, or nor.
S
S
See the
FANBOYS Ex: Quinn and Brayden leapt
over the puddle.
V
posters!
Compound
Subject
S
Paste Compound S
Surprisingly, Mark nor
Subject Visual Matt passed the test.
Here.
V
and
but
or
Sam and Pam are best friends.

NO COMMA TO
SEPARATE 2
SUBJECTS
Note—These are still simple
sentences, but they each have
compound subjects.
 Effective writers can
combine two separate
related sentences that have
different subjects but the
same verbs. The subjects
are joined with a
CONJUNCTION to form a
Choose the best
compound subject.
conjunction
Ex:
connector:
Michael might go to the
and
ceremony.
or
If he doesn’t go, Mary will.
nor
The library books are not
stored on the back shelf.
The folders should not be
there, either.
Compound
Predicate/Verb
Consists of TWO or more
SIMPLE VERBS JOINED
BY A CONJUNCTION
Paste Compound
Verb Visual
Here.
and
or
I can rub my tummy and pat
my head.

SUCH AS and, but, or, or
nor.
S
V
Ex: Quinn leapt over the V
monstrous puddle and landed
safely on firm ground.
No COMMA TO
SEPARATE 2
ACTIONS.
 When two related
sentences contain the same
subject and two separate
actions being performed by
that subject, one of the
subjects can be omitted,
and a compound predicate
can be formed using a
coordinating conjunction.
Choose the best
conjunction
Ex:
Jenny turned in her science
project. However, she did
connector:
and
or
nor
but
not think she would make a
good grade.
My friends and I will go to
the mall. We will shop for
new shoes.
Should I rewrite this
paper? Should I just turn
it in instead?
Work COMBINING SENTENCES
W/COMPOUNDS PRACTICE I NOW.
Compound Sometimes a sentence will
Subjects and have both a compound subject
Predicates and a compound verb.
Ex:
The house faces the lake.
The garden also faces the lake
Both are protected by a
wooden fence.
Simple
Sentence
Compound
Sentence
A simple sentence is a single
independent clause that can
have single subjects and
predicates OR compound
subjects and/or predicates.
 John and Mark ate lunch
and went to the movie.
A sentence containing two or
more separate independent
clauses (simple sentences)
joined by a comma and a
coordinating conjunction
S V
Ex: Quinn leapt over the S
massive puddle, but Ethan
landed in the oozing mud.
V
 Two separate independent
clauses that contain different
subjects and different
predicates can be combined
into a compound sentence
by connecting them with a
comma before a
coordinating conjunction
(and, but, or).
My goal is to go to Texas A
& M. My parents want me
to attend UT in Austin.
I finished my composition.
Mrs. Pierce wants me to
share it during Author’s
Chair.
 Paste compound sentence pattern 1
here.
Complete
sentence (S/V)
Using a
Semicolon
INSTEAD of a
Comma and a
Conjunction
,
for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
complete
sentence (S/V).
Sometimes authors choose to
use a SEMICOLON to separate
two complete INDEPENDENT
CLAUSES.

If a semicolon is used, DO NOT
ADD A CONJUNCTION. The
semi-colon is strong enough to hold
two complete sentences on its own.
Ex: The movie finally ended;
the children were sleepy.
Complete
sentence (S/V)
;
complete
sentence (S/V).
Paste compound sentence pattern 2
here.
Work Practice 2 now. Use the
FANBOYS SHEET. (See copy
below). After Practice 2, PASTE
this in the Grammar Section of
your binder.
Particular
Coordinating FANBOYS
Relationship
Conjunctions
Expressed
(Paste the list
here.)
for, so
Indicates CauseEffect
Ideas that Agree
and
Opposing Ideas
but, yet
Comma
Caution #1
or
Choice Between
Ideas/Only One
Idea is True
nor
Continues Negative
Thought-Neither
idea is True
A COMMA MUST COME
BEFORE A COORDINATING
CONJUNCTION WHEN
Before a
Coordinating
Conjunction
COMBINING TWO
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
 A comma isn’t strong
enough to hold two
complete independent
clauses on its own; it must
have its conjunction
helper.
 The comma ALWAYS
COMES BEFORE
(NEVER after) the
coordinating conjunction.
 Jenny wants to go to the
movies but her mom says
she has to finish her
homework first. (Where
does the comma go?)
<Run-on sent.>
 Mrs. Miller gave a science
test today, most students
passed it. (What is missing
here?) <Comma Splice>
(STAAR ALERT!)
Comma
Caution # 2
Compound
Subjects and
Predicates
DON’T USE A COMMA
WHEN COMBINING 2
COMPOUND SUBJECTS OR
PREDICATES
Incorrect Examples:
 Brenda, and Lynn will
perform in the school play.
 Jamal scored the winning
touchdown, and led his team
in the victory dance.
Work COMPOUNDS PRACTICE III.
Compounds Flow Chart
Job #1: Place prepositional phrases in
parentheses. Label all subjects and verbs. Circle
commas. Place FANBOYS in triangles.
Job #2: Answer this question--Is there a
SUBJECT AND VERB on the LEFT before a
comma and a FANBOYS conjunction AND a
SUBJECT AND VERB ON THE RIGHT after a
comma and a FANBOYS conjunction?
Yes
No
 You will have a single
or compound subject.
 You will have a single
or compound verb.
o DON’T USE A
COMMA TO SEPARATE
COMPOUND SUBJECTS
OR COMPOUND VERBS
Simple Sentence
Compound
Sentence