GRAMMAR FOCUS: COMPOUND SENTENCES

A compound sentence is two or more simple sentences usually joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Coordinating Conjunctions—think “FANBOYS”ForAndNorButOrYetSo

COMPOUND SENTENCES Combine 2 simple (complete) sentences

by:1. Adding a comma after the first sentence2. Adding a coordinating conjunction

(FANSBOYS) after the comma

SimpleSentence

1

SimpleSentence

2

, Coordinating

Conjunction FANBOYS

EXAMPLES OF COMBINED SENTENCES

The flowers were blooming, yet it was still cold outside.

Put the key on a key ring, or you might loose it.

Mom cooked the meal, and Dad washed the dishes.

We can eat dinner at home, or we can go out to our favorite restaurant.

Jackie is an excellent cook, so she cooked the turkey for our family Thanksgiving meal.

ON YOUR OWN… Combine each pair of sentences into a

compound sentence using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

1. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C. Cherries are a good source of fiber.

2. Raspberries are extremely delicate. You should take care when washing them.

3. Cranberries are harvested in the fall. That is why we serve them at holiday meals.

4. Blackberries are very nutritious. They are great in pies and cobblers.

ANSWERS Combine each pair of sentences into a

compound sentence using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

1. Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C, but cherries are a good source of fiber.

2. Raspberries are extremely delicate, so you should take care when washing them.

3. Cranberries are harvested in the fall, so that is why we serve them at holiday meals.

4. Blackberries are very nutritious, and they are great in pies and cobblers.