A simple sentence contains only one main clause and no subordinate clauses. A simple sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound predicate, or both. The subject and the predicate can be expanded with adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, appositives, and verbal phrases. EX: Stories entertain. Stories and riddles entertain and amuse. [SS with compound subject and compound predicate.] Stories about the Old West entertain adults and children alike. [SS including a prepositional phrase, a direct object, and an adverb.]

A compound sentence contains two or more main clauses. The main clauses in a compound sentence may be joined in any four ways: 1. Usually they are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, nor, yet, for) Stories about the Old West are entertaining, and stories set in foreign countries are interesting. Stories entertain me, and riddles amuse me, but poems are my favorite. 2. Main clauses in a compound sentence may be joined by a semicolon used alone. Talented oral storytellers are rare; Spalding Gray is exceptional.

3. Main clauses in a compound sentence may be joined by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (such as however, therefore, nevertheless) Stories entertain and amuse; however, poems are delightful. 4. Main clauses in a compound sentence may be joined by a semicolon and an expression such as for example. Many authors write stories and poems; for example, Sherman Alexie is known for both his stories and his poems.

1.Megan, my second cousin, and Peter, her brother, walked six miles the other day. 2.Vern made hot cocoa, and his uncle supplied the marshmallows. 3.My dad fixes breakfast and cleans the kitchen on Sundays. 4.Anya checks her often, but she doesn’t always respond right away. 5.Don’t let his calm face fool you; that lion could hurt you. 6.George and Alicia hiked through the forest and camped next to a creek. 7.You should try to get a good night’s sleep. 8.Pam loves jewelry; however, she has sensitive skin and can’t wear it. 9.The airplane circled overhead and then flew toward the airport. 10.The rainbow in the sky was incredible; the sun was warm.