Turning Simple Sentences into Compound Sentences Using FANBOYS 301.1.6 401.1.6 501.1.5

Compound Sentence A Compound Sentence is a sentence that joins two independent clauses together with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

Formula Compound Sentence = Independent Clause + Comma + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent Clause

Simple Sentences Nick Allen had plenty of ideas. He knew what to do with them.

Compound Sentence Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them.

What Do You Notice? I think about going in my room now, but it smells like the inside of an old lunch bag in there. Gennifer Choldenko, Al Capoine Does My Shirts

I think about going in my room now, but it smells like the inside of an old lunch bag in there. Gennifer Choldenko, Al Capoine Does My Shirts

Simple Sentences I think about going in my room now. It smells like the inside of an old lunch bag in there.

Compound Sentence I think about going in my room now, but it smells like the inside of an old lunch bag in there.

What Do You Notice. She didn’t want to play with Jill What Do You Notice? She didn’t want to play with Jill. She didn’t want to play with Jim.

She didn’t want to play with Jill, and she didn’t want to play with Jim.

Simple Sentences She didn’t want to play with Jill. She didn’t want to play with Jim.

Compound Sentence She didn’t want to play with Jill, and she didn’t want to play with Jim.

To make two simple sentences into a compound sentence, use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Remember: the sentences must be related.

for and nor but or yet so . , Sentence sentence

FANBOYS for and nor but or yet so

FOR The Problem Finder Connects a solution with a problem (because)

Let’s go to the swimming pool, for it’s hot inside the house.

AND The Matchmaker Connects two ideas that go together

I want to go to the circus, and I want to ride a pony.

NOR Mr. Negative Negative form of or (also means not)

I have never visited Asia, nor have I ever visited Africa.

BUT King Conflict Connects two ideas that go against each other

I need to go to the store, but I’m feeling too sick to drive.

OR The Decision Maker Connects two choices

You can make a big poster, or you can make a small clay statue.

YET But’s Evil Twin Brother Connects two ideas that go against each other

I don’t want to practice playing the violin, yet I don’t want to disobey my mother.

SO The Problem-Solver Connects a problem with a result

I didn’t do my homework, so my parents punished me.

Sometimes it is okay to leave out the comma if the two simple sentences are very short or very closely related. He threw me the book and I dashed out the door.

Gail plays soccer. Brian plays tennis.

Gail plays soccer, and Brian plays tennis.

June is a warm month. December is cold.

June is a warm month, but December is cold.

The yard is full of leaves. After school, we will rake them into piles.

The yard is full of leaves, so after school, we will rake them into piles.

She doesn’t drink milk. She doesn’t eat butter.

She doesn’t drink milk, nor does she eat butter.

Tom studied a lot. He did not pass the test.

Tom studied a lot, yet he did not pass the test.

My mom takes me to the mall for clothes My mom takes me to the mall for clothes. My dad buys school supplies for me.

My mom takes me to the mall for clothes, and my dad buys school supplies for me.

First Squirrel saw Mouse. He saw Cat and ran away.

First Squirrel saw Mouse, but then he saw Cat and ran away.