Compound Sentences

What you need to know… Compound sentences are made when two or more simple sentences (a.k.a. independent clauses) are combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are FANBOYS Compound sentence formula: Sentence + , + one of the FANBOYS + sentence + . = compound sentence

Don’t misunderstand… Not every sentence with a FANBOY word is a compound sentence! Not every sentence with a comma is a compound sentence! Compound sentence CAN be combined with other sentence forms (example: adding a modifier)

Say What?! In Chemistry you learn that a compound is made from combining two or more different things. Same with compound sentences.

Invitation to Notice Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them. - Andrew Clements, Frindle What do you notice about this sentence? It looks like two sentences in one.

A few more to notice… He tried to stare into her fiery gaze, but he couldn’t stop looking at the purple vein bulging in her forehead. ~ Out of Patience The dark scares us, for we don’t know what is waiting in the dark. ~Tales to Chill Your Bones I could remember every detail of the whole night, but it had the unreal quality of a dream. ~The Outsiders Mom says finishing everything on his own plate is one thing, but Dad usually finishes everything on everyone else’s plates, too.

The FANBOYS For –the problem finder—connects a solution with a problem. And—the matchmaker—connects two ideas that go together. Nor—Mr. Negative—Negative form of or. But—King Conflict—Connects two ideas that go against each other Or—The Decision Maker– Connects two choices. Yet—But’s evil twin brother—Connects two ideas that go against each other. So—The Problem Solver—Connects a problem with a result.

Invitation to Imitate It’s Friday night, and Mom is yelling at me because I won’t eat the chicken she cooked for dinner. My Imitation It’s Monday morning, and Asa is having an extremely difficult time getting out of bed. Your Turn to Imitate

Invitation to Imitate Stephen is my best friend, but I’m not sure he’d admit it. My Imitation: Jess is my best friend, but we don’t get to hang out a lot. Your Turn to Imitate

Another Option Compound sentences can also be formed by joining two related sentences with a semicolon. (No need for a FANBOY here. The semicolon joins alone.) The separation is more subtle; sometimes we want less separation between sentences.

The semicolon Links two or more independent clauses with similar ideas. Between the period and the comma lies the semicolon. Stronger than a comma, weaker than a period The part of the sentences after the semicolon is not capitalized unless it is a proper noun.

A few semicolon examples… Harry was sure he would not be able to fall asleep; the evening had been so packed with things to think about that he fully expected to lie away for hours mulling it all over. Mrs. Weasley placed a couple pieces of toast and marmalade in front of him; he tried to eat, but it was like chewing carpet. What do you notice about this one??

Invitation to Combine (use a semicolon) Something very cold trickled down the back of Harry’s neck. For a moment he thought someone was putting a Disillusionment Charm on him again.

Invitation to Combine (use a semicolon) It was a tight fit. Harry was jammed against the telephone apparatus.

Invitation to Imitate We joined Boy Scouts; Dad joined Boy Scouts. We became junior volunteer firemen; Dad became a junior volunteer fireman. ~Give the Pig a Chance and Other Stories My Imitation I went outside; my dog went outside. I went to bed; my dog went to be. Your Turn to Imitate

Invitation to Imitate Harry found himself daydreaming about Hogwarts more and more as the end of the holidays approached; he could not wait to see Hagrid again, to play Quidditch, even to stroll across the vegetable patches to the greenhouses. My Imitation I found myself dreaming more and more about a snow day as the weekend approached; I could not wait to sleep in, play in the snow, and relax all day. Your Turn to Imitate

A Quick Refresher on FANBOYS If you are combining two independent clauses into one sentence you MUST have a COMMA and one of the FANBOYS.

Invitation to Combine (Use a FANBOY) Harry tiptoed up the stairs in the hall past the stuffed elf heads, glad to be on his own again. As he approached the landing he heard noises.

Invitation to Combine (use a FANBOY) He felt older than he had ever felt in his life. It seemed extraordinary to him that barely an hour ago he had been worried about a joke shop.