1. How to write a compound sentence

2. What Do You Notice? Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them. Andrew Clements, Frindle
Listen to this sentence: Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them. What do you notice about how the sentence is organized? Punctuated? How many parts does the sentence have? How do the parts relate to each other?

3. Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them
Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them. Andrew Clements, Frindle
The sentence has two main parts. Each part is called an independent clause and represents a complete thought. And is a connecting word called a coordinating conjunction. Notice how the different colors show the different parts of the sentence.

4. Simple Sentences
Nick Allen had plenty of ideas. He knew what to do with them.
If we broke the original sentence into two parts, it would make these two simple sentences. The ideas in these two sentences are closely related.

5. Compound Sentence
Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them.
When two sentences have closely related ideas, they can be combined into a compound sentence by using a coordinating conjunction. And is a coordinating conjunction used to show that the second idea adds on to the first idea.

6. 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
Let’s try another one. Listen to this 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 about how the sentence is organized? Punctuated? How many parts does the sentence have? How do the parts relate to each other?

7. 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
The sentence has two main parts. Each part is called an independent clause and represents a complete thought. But is a connecting word called a coordinating conjunction. Notice how the different colors show the different parts of the sentence.

8. Simple Sentences I think about going in my room now.
It smells like the inside of an old lunch bag in there.
If we broke the original sentence into two parts, it would make these two simple sentences. The ideas in these two sentences are closely related.

9. Compound Sentence
I think about going in my room now, but it smells like the inside of an old lunch bag in there.
When two sentences have closely related ideas, they can be combined into a compound sentence by using a coordinating conjunction. But is a coordinating conjunction used to show that the second idea contrasts with the first idea.

10. To make two simple sentences into a compound sentence, use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Remember: the sentences must be related.
The rules for compound sentences are simple. READ SCREEN.

11. . , for and nor but or yet so Sentence sentence
There are seven common coordinating conjunctions used to make compound sentences. They are easy to remember.

12. FANBOYS for and nor but or yet so
Just think FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Each of these coordinating conjunctions serves a different purpose.

13. FOR The Problem Finder Connects a solution with a problem (because)
Use for to connect two simple sentences where one poses a problem and the other solves it. For is rarely used in modern conversational English. An easy trick is see if you could use because instead. If you can, for is probably the best coordinating conjunction to use.

14. Let’s go to the swimming pool, for it’s hot inside the house.
Here’s an example:

15. AND The Matchmaker Connects two ideas that go together
And is used to add on to an idea. It is one of the most common coordinating conjunctions.

16. I want to go to the circus, and I want to ride a pony.
Here is an example:

17. NOR Mr. Negative Negative form of or (also means not)
Nor is used to add a second negative example.

18. I have never visited Asia, nor have I ever visited Africa.
Here’s an example:

19. BUT King Conflict Connects two ideas that go against each other
But is used for connecting contrasting ideas.

20. I need to go to the store, but I’m feeling too sick to drive.
Here is an example:

21. OR The Decision Maker Connects two choices
Or is used to connect two choices where choosing both is not really an option.

22. You can make a big poster, or you can make a small clay statue.
Here’s an example:

23. YET But’s Evil Twin Brother Connects two ideas that go against each other
Yet is used almost exactly like but.

24. I don’t want to practice playing the violin, yet I don’t want to disobey my mother.
Here’s an example

25. SO The Problem-Solver Connects a problem with a result
So connects a problem with its outcome. It gives a solution or tells what will happen next.

26. I didn’t do my homework, so my parents punished me.
Here is an example:

27. Now that you have learned about FANBOYS, Its time to test your Skills
Now that you have learned about FANBOYS, Its time to test your Skills. Follow the link below to take your practice assessment. You will be prompted to watch additional videos to help you if needed. Practice Assessment
Read this screen and end with Try your best so you can write great sentences!