Combining Sentences When two sentences are combined to form one more elaborate sentence, it is called call a compound sentence. Ex. My mother’s cooking is great. My grandmother’s cooking is a whole lot better. Ex. My mother’s cooking is great, but my grandmother’s cooking is a whole lot better. Before we learn more about compound sentences let’s review some basic terms you need to know.

Terms We Should Know Complete Subject – the part of an independent clause made up by a word or group of words that states who or what the sentence is about. Complete Predicate - the part of an independent clause made up by a word or group of words that states what the subject is or is doing. Independent Clause – a sentence with one complete subject and one complete predicate.

Terms We Should Know (Continued) Coordinating Conjunction – a word that connects phrases and clauses Comma – a punctuation mark that helps combine independent clauses when used with a coordinating conjunction. Semi-colon – a punctuation mark that combines two independent clauses.

How to Combine Sentences: Rule # 1 Two independent clauses can be combined to for a compound sentence by using a comma and a coordinating conjunction. The period is replaced with a comma. A coordinating conjunction is added. Remember to lowercase the initial letter of your second independent clause. Example: My mother’s cooking if great, but my grandmother’s cooking is a whole lot better.

Coordinating Conjunctions Before we continue let’s take a look at the coordinating conjunctions and what each one means. This will help you use the coordinating conjunctions correctly without altering the meaning of the independent clauses.

Coordinating Conjunctions (Continued) for – used in a similar way as because and - in addition to nor – choice, alternative but – contrast, opposition or – choice, alternative yet – contrast, opposition so – result, effect

Rule # 2 Another way to combine two independent clauses to form a compound sentence is by replacing the period of the first independent clause with a semi-colon. Example: My mother’s cooking is great; my grandmother’s cooking is a whole lot better.

Comma Splice A comma splice is the term that refers to the improper use of a comma to form a compound sentence. Example: My mother’s cooking is great, my grandmother’s cooking is a whole lot better. *This is a very common mistake.