Compound Sentences

Two Sentences with Subjects and Verbs The professor gave a lecture. I took notes.

One Sentence: Where’s the Verb? In the morning, I usually like(?) to take(?) a run(?) before class.

One Sentence: Like is the Verb. In the morning I usually like to take a run before class. “To” cannot come before the Verb! The Verb cannot have an Adjective in front, so “a run” cannot be the Verb!

One Sentence: Where’s the Subject? In the morning,(?) I (?) usually like to take a run before class.

In the morning,(?) I (?) usually like to take a run before class. Using the Verb (like), make the sentence into a question: “[Who or what] likes to take a run before class?” Now, you know the Subject is I as in: “ I usually like to take a run before class.” (In the morning) is a Prepositional Phrase!

Opening Prepositional Phrase Needs a comma! In the morning I usually like to take a run before class.

Opening Prepositional Phrase Needs a comma! In the morning, I usually like to take a run before class.

Simple Sentence with Subject and Verb I studied before class.

Introductory Word with Sentence. In fact I studied before class.

In fact, I studied before class. Introductory Words in a Sentence Need a Comma!

Introductory Words Here’s a list of common Introductory Words: Also, finally, first, second, third… furthermorehowever in addition in conclusion next, thus, for example, for instance, consequently, therefore most important,

Introductory Word Groups Underline the Subjects once and put the Verbs in bold, and put (…) parentheses around the Introductory Word Groups in. Add any punctuation that is needed. 1.Of course we have our suitcases in the car. 2.Yes we have no bananas. 3.Robert please hand in your assignment. 4.Clearly the prediction will be wrong. 5.However I thought we should turn around before the storm.

Two Sentences The car was for sale. People wanted to buy it.

Compound Sentence The car was for sale,and people wanted to buy it.

Look for two Verbs and two Subjects: The car was for sale, and people wanted to buy it. Along with a Coordinating Conjunction (And, But, Or, For, So, Nor)

FANBOYS For And Nor But Or Yet So

The car was for sale, and people wanted to buy it. Compound Sentence with Coordinating Conjunction (And, But, Or) Coordinating Conjunction (And, But, Or) Needs a Comma! Needs a Comma!

Compound Sentence with Repeated Subject I approached the car lot, and I looked for the ‘65 Mustang.

Compound Sentence: You can often take out the repeated Subject and the Comma! I approached the car lot, and I looked for the 1965 Mustang.

I approached the car lot and looked for the 1965 Mustang Compound Sentence: You can often take out the repeated Subject and the Comma! I approached the car lot, and I looked for the 1965 Mustang.

Warning: Coordinating Conjunctions (and, but, or) do not always divide Compound Sentences. Coordinating Conjunctions can also divide two nouns, two adjectives, or two verbs.

Example: The Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders are two NFL teams with a long-standing rivalery

In this example, you do not have a Compound Sentence! The Coordinating Conjunctions (and) divides two nouns and not two full sentences with Subjects and Verbs!

Underline the Subjects once, put the Verbs in bold, and the Coordinating Conjunction in green type. Add any commas that are needed. The car was for sale and people wanted to buy it. He is taller and somewhat more athletic than his brother.

Compound Sentence: The car was for sale, and people wanted to buy it. Not a Compound Sentence: The Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders are two NFL teams with a long-standing rivalry.

Not a Compound Sentence: The Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders are two NFL teams with a long-standing rivalry.

Compound Sentences Underline the Subject once and put the Verb in bold and put the Coordinating Conjunctions that connect the two sentences in red type. Add any Commas that are needed! 1.Wolves were once part of the landscape in many western states, but most were killed off in the early and middle twentieth century. 2.Many ranchers and cowboys objected to the return of the wolves. 3.They feared for the safety of their livestock. 4.The wolves were endangered so it was illegal to hunt them. 5.The wolves were wearing radio collars, and scientists kept track of the wolves with the help of those collars. 5.The wolves were wearing radio collars, and scientists kept track of the wolves with the help of those collars.