1. Sentence Structure Lessons #5:
COMPOUND
SENTENCES
FUN STUFF!!

2. S P S P Simple enough, right?
Compound Sentences:
Introduction S P S P
Simple
enough,
right?
The little boy absolutely loved lollipops.
He walked to the candy store with his mother.
A simple sentence is ONE complete thought.
This is a simple sentence.
It has a…
This is a simple sentence, too.
subject that tells who or what the sentence is about.
simple subject – the main noun (or pronoun) in the subject.
predicate that tells what the subject does or did.
verb – the action word (or linking word).

3. S P P S Huh? and for so but nor or yet We’re going to build a bridge!
Compound Sentences:
Introduction
Let’s have a little chat about conjunctions. S P
C + C P S
Huh?
A conjunction is a connecting word…
a joining word…
a ‘glue’ word.
One way to remember these conjunctions is to use: FANBOYS
The little boy absolutely loved lollipops.
and for so but nor or yet
He walked to the candy store with his mother.
These are the 7 conjunctions we can choose from to
combine simple sentences.
You might like this better… Just remember this sentence:
But sometimes it’s nice to combine two simple sentences into one longer sentence.
(Especially if the ideas connect to each other!)
We’re going to build a bridge!
To connect two simple sentences,
we will build a bridge with a…
comma + conjunction.
And
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.
for so
but
nor or
yest
Chant that sentence three times! Ready… go!
So how do we do that?
Copyright © 2013 by Michael Friermood

4. 3 2 1 S P S P COMPOUND SENTENCE , comma + conjunction.
Compound Sentences:
Introduction S P S P
C + C
C + C
C + C ,
The little boy absolutely loved lollipops. so
he walked H
he walked
to the candy store with his mother. 3
Third, just make the capital letter lowercase, and tidy up a bit.
Two simple sentences
combined with a C+C is called a… 2
Second, add a conjunction. 1
First, replace the first period with a comma.
Okay, let’s do it!
To connect two simple sentences,
we will build a bridge with a…
COMPOUND SENTENCE
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.
comma + conjunction.

5. Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.
Compound Sentences:
Modeled Practice S P S P
C + C
C + C
C + C
Let’s make another compound sentence. ,
He held his mother’s hand in the store.
but s
Soon the boy wandered off toward the lollipops. 1
Replace the first period with a comma.
Make sure you notice that the two simple sentences we started with are still COMPLETE thoughts
inside our new compound sentence. * 2
Add a conjunction.
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday. 3
Make the capital letter lowercase.
Time to build a bridge!
Two simple sentences.

6. Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.
Compound Sentences:
Modeled Practice S P S P
C + C
C + C
C + C
Let’s see another. ,
The little boy did not see his mother. so
He screamed at the top of his lungs. h 1
Replace the first period with a comma. 2
Add a conjunction.
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday. 3
Make the capital letter lowercase.
Time to build a bridge!
Do you still see the 2 complete thoughts inside our compound sentence? *
Two simple sentences.

7. 1 2 3 p P S S P , * NOW it’s time to build a bridge!
Compound Sentences:
Modeled Practice P S S P
C + C
C + C
C + C
One more for ya’. ,
The boy’s mother turned red with embarrassment and anger.
All the customers just stared.
and t 1
Comma
Do you notice the other conjunction? * 2
Conjunction
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday. 3
Change the capital.
NOW it’s time to build a bridge!
Two simple sentences?
Be careful. Conjunctions (especially ‘and’) are not only for compound sentences.
They can be used in other ways, too.
Why don’t you decide for yourself… p
Where are the simple subjects?
Where are the verbs?
Where are the predicates?
Where are the subjects?
It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.
It’s as compound as 1, 2, 3.
Or should we say…

8. , The socks smelled like sweat. Jessie washed them. so
Compound Sentences:
Guided Practice
Now you will see two simple sentences, but YOU choose the conjunction that will make the best compound sentence.
‘so’ is probably the best choice here.
‘but’ or ‘yet’ might have worked too.
When you choose a conjunction, there is not always just one right choice. Be sure to choose one that makes sense, and that fits what you want the sentence to say.
The socks smelled like sweat. , so
Jessie washed them.
Complete Thought???
Complete Thought???
1. First, check that each is a complete thought.
2. Now choose a conjunction that makes sense.
3. Build your bridge!
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.

9. , The dog sniffed around the whole backyard.
Compound Sentences:
Guided Practice
Do another one.
and
for so
but
nor or
yet
Make sure you are noticing that with a compound sentence, if you take away the bridge-work, two fully complete thoughts are still there. ,
The dog sniffed around the whole backyard.
Complete
Thought???
Soon he found his buried bone. s
Complete
Thought???
1. First, check that each is a complete thought.
2. Now choose a conjunction that makes sense.
3. Build your bridge!
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.

10. , You need to finish your breakfast.
Compound Sentences:
Guided Practice
And another.
and
for so
but
nor or
yet ,
You need to finish your breakfast.
Complete
Thought???
Your mother will throw it in the trash. y
Complete
Thought???
1. First, check that each is a complete thought.
2. Now choose a conjunction that makes sense.
3. Build your bridge!
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.

11. , h Mr. Toodlebum does not enjoy musicals.
Compound Sentences:
Guided Practice
One more.
Now here was one where ‘but’ would have worked pretty well, too. So sometimes it just depends on how you want to say what you have to say!
and
for so
but
nor or
yet
Complete Thought??? ,
Mr. Toodlebum does not enjoy musicals.
He continues to buy tickets for them every year. h
Complete Thought???
1. First, check that each is a complete thought.
2. Now choose a conjunction that makes sense.
3. Build your bridge!
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.

12. [ ] , but they were too faded to tell what was in them.
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice I
Let’s push a little further now.
I’ll give you ONE simple sentence.
YOU make it compound by building the bridge AND
adding the second complete thought.
Now who wants to share another way?
(Let’s listen for a conjunction and
a second complete thought.)
How about this…
Or this…
, but they were too faded to tell what was in them.
, so she put them in her scrapbook.
Margie found the old photographs in the attic.
Silently, pick your conjunction
and think of a second complete thought.
Let’s look at a couple of possibilities,
and then we’ll share some of your ideas. [ ]
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.

13. [ ] , and super expensive! , but that huge mansion is spectacular!
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice I
We’ll do that again…
I’ll give you ONE simple sentence.
YOU make it compound by building the bridge AND
adding the second complete thought.
So who wants to share a way to make this a compound sentence?
(Remember, let’s listen for a conjunction and
a second complete thought.)
Now check out this one…
Or how about this…
, and
super expensive!
, but
that huge mansion is spectacular!
These houses are all very nice-looking.
Nope.
Silently, pick your conjunction
and think of a second complete thought.
‘super expensive’ could not stand alone.
Get rid of the comma, and you still have a fine sentence…
just not a compound sentence!
Uh-oh! Look carefully…
Is that a compound sentence?
Does it have TWO complete thoughts?
Let’s share some of your ideas first this time. [ ]
Andy forgot some buttery northern oranges yesterday.

14. it could be from two years ago.
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice I
One more…
but this time, you don’t get to see Andy’s
sentence at the bottom. Oh boy.
And here’s another…
Now look at this one…
, so
I threw it in the trash.
, or
it could be from two years ago.
The newspaper you found is from last year.
Silently, pick your conjunction
and think of a second complete thought.
So who wants to share a way to make this one a compound sentence?
(Remember, let’s listen for a conjunction and
a second complete thought.)

15. Time for a little practice on your own.
Compound Sentences:
Independent Practice
Time for a little practice on your own.

16. Tikki collects seashells, gnomes, and old cameras. and
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice II
Is this sentence a compound sentence? Why? -or- Why not?
Tikki dropped her most valuable gnome, and it shattered into a thousand pieces.
Okay, remember when we said that conjunctions can be used for more than just compound sentences?
Let’s look into that a bit further.
Did you notice that every sentence has the conjunction: ‘and’?
YES!
…because we have two COMPLETE thoughts joined by a C+C bridge!
But, none are used to make a compound sentence!
Check out all of these sentences:
In this sentence, ‘and’ is used in a list of items.
Tikki collects seashells, gnomes, and old cameras.
and
Tikki and her cousins visited the library.
and
In this sentence, ‘and’ is used to join a compound subject.
Tikki found a book about cameras and took it off the shelf.
and
In this sentence, ‘and’ is used to join a compound predicate.

17. Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice II
Is this sentence a compound sentence? Why? -or- Why not?
Tikki dropped her most valuable gnome, and it shattered into a thousand pieces.
YES!
…because we have two COMPLETE thoughts joined by a C+C bridge!
comma +
conjunction P S P S
C + C
C + C
C + C

18. 1 , 2 Wendy likes peanut butter but hates the taste of jelly.
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III
Now you’ll see two sentences—both of them have a conjunction. One sentence is compound and needs a comma.
Can you figure out which sentence it is? 1
Wendy likes peanut butter but hates the taste of jelly.
Wendy hates the taste of jelly but her friend Peter loves it.
SMACK! , 2
Okay, a comma is on its way! Smack the air like a fly swatter to show when you want the comma to stop.
Hold up one finger or two fingers to show which sentence needs a comma.

19. 1 , 2 Wendy likes peanut butter but hates the taste of jelly.
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III 1
Wendy likes peanut butter but hates the taste of jelly.
Wendy hates the taste of jelly but her friend Peter loves it. , 2
This is a compound sentence, so it gets a comma just before its conjunction. It is a compound sentence because it has two complete thoughts.

20. Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III
Let’s do another one…
SMACK! 1
Your sister blows a big bubble and your brother pops it with a pebble.
You need to buy a new pack of bubble gum and a new pack of diapers. , 2
Okay, a comma is on its way! Smack the air like a fly swatter to show when you want the comma to stop.
Hold up one finger or two fingers to show which sentence needs a comma.

21. 1 , 2 The sand is blowing in my face and stinging my eyes.
Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III
How about this one… 1
The sand is blowing in my face and stinging my eyes.
Come over here as quickly as you can and help me wash this sand out of my eyes.
SMACK! , 2
Okay, a comma is on its way! Smack the air like a fly swatter to show when you want the comma to stop.
Hold up one finger or two fingers to show which sentence needs a comma.

22. Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III
Let’s step it up a notch.
Now you will have 3 sentence choices.
The sentences may not have the same
conjunction, either. Can you handle it?
Here’s the first set… 1
That tree branch will probably break if you stand on it or kick it.
Five chipmunks and three squirrels are crawling up that big tree.
You can try feeding them some peanuts but don’t give them any peanut butter! 2
SMACK! , 3
First, find the conjunction in every sentence.
Okay, a comma is on its way! Smack the air like a fly swatter to show when you want the comma to stop.
Now hold up one, two, or three fingers to show which sentence needs a comma.

23. Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III
Let’s do another set…
SMACK! 1
These flies keep buzzing in my ear and I can’t figure out how to keep them away.
I found some sunscreen in my backpack but no bug spray.
Maybe I can use my Kung-Fu skills and cat-like reflexes to catch them all. , 2 3
First, find the conjunction in every sentence.
Now hold up one, two, or three fingers to show which sentence needs a comma.
Okay, a comma is on its way! Smack the air like a fly swatter to show when you want the comma to stop.

24. Compound Sentences:
Interactive Practice III
One more set…
SMACK! 1
The magician needed a volunteer for his trick so he asked a woman from the audience.
The woman was supposed to pull either a rabbit or a carrot from the magician’s hat.
The magician said some crazy magic words but the woman only pulled out some fuzz. , 2
SMACK! , 3
Woah—did you catch that? TWO compound sentences! Okay, two commas, on the way! Smack the air like a fly swatter to show when you want the commas to stop.
First, find the conjunction in every sentence.
Now hold up one, two, or three fingers to show which sentence needs a comma.

25. It’s time to step back and look at the big picture.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
It’s time to step back and look at the big picture.
Let’s try to get to the bottom of these questions…
When would you use a compound sentence?
Why would you use a compound sentence?

26. Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
Let’s start with a little story…
Each sentence by itself is not wrong But when your writing is filled with short, simple sentences, it may not flow very well.
How did that sound to you?
Did it feel a little… choppy to anyone? Like it had lots of stops and starts? Just look at all the sentences: 1
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs. Balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly. Everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first. Then she saw her birthday cake. A big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

27. “Well why don’t we just make a bunch of compound sentences instead?”
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
You might be thinking…
“Well why don’t we just make a bunch of compound sentences instead?”
Filling your writing with only long, compound sentences can also create problems. It can start to sound like you are rambling along without a point.
LONG
SHORT
ALL short, simple sentences = can be choppy
ALL long, compound sentences= can be rambling
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs. Balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly. Everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first. Then she saw her birthday cake. A big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing.

28. Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
ALL short, simple sentences = can be choppy
ALL long, compound sentences= can be rambling
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs. Balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly. Everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first. Then she saw her birthday cake. A big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing.
Let’s look at just the
beginning of the story.

29. Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s choose two of these sentences to combine into a compound sentence.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters.
Streamers were wrapped around the chairs.
Balloons were hanging from the ceiling.

30. Would these work well together?
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s choose two of these sentences to combine into a compound sentence.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters.
Streamers were wrapped around the chairs.
Would these work well together?
Balloons were hanging from the ceiling.

31. Or would these work better?
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s choose two of these sentences to combine into a compound sentence.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters.
Or would these work better?
Streamers were wrapped around the chairs.
Balloons were hanging from the ceiling.

32. , Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s choose two of these sentences to combine into a compound sentence.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters.
Streamers were wrapped around the chairs. ,
and
Balloons were hanging from the ceiling. b
These two sentences would make a better compound sentence because their ideas fit well together. So let’s do it!
Which conjunction would you suggest?
How about…

33. Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs, and balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly. Everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first. Then she saw her birthday cake. A big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing.
Now let’s move to the
middle of the story.

34. The cake was set out on the table.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
So what do you think we should do with these?
The cake was set out on the table.
Everything was ready.
Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly.
Everyone yelled, “Surprise!”

35. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
So what do you think we should do with these? .
The cake was set out on the table.
Everything was ready.
But for our whole story, that would mean
3 compound sentences in a row.
Remember, we are shooting for balance.
One option is to make
two compound sentences.
Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly.
Everyone yelled, “Surprise!”

36. The cake was set out on the table.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s just make one compound sentence and leave the other sentences alone.
The cake was set out on the table.
Everything was ready.
Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly.
Everyone yelled, “Surprise!”

37. , The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s just make one compound sentence and leave the other sentences alone.
The cake was set out on the table.
Sometimes it’s nice to mix in a really short sentence like this one. It packs a powerful punch.
Everything was ready.
Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly. ,
and
Everyone yelled, “Surprise!” e
Copyright © 2013 by Michael Friermood

38. Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs, and balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly, and everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first. Then she saw her birthday cake. A big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing.
Let’s take a look at the
last part of the story.

39. Let’s try something a little different this time.
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Any suggestions here?
Let’s try something a little different this time.
His mother was scared at first.
Then she saw her birthday cake.
A big smile spread across her face.
Leon and his sisters started singing.

40. Let’s make one compound sentence
Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Any suggestions here?
His mother was scared at first. ,
but
Then she saw her birthday cake. t ,
and
A big smile spread across her face. a
What do you think? This isn’t your only choice, but as long as you don’t do it very often, it can sound pretty good.
Let’s make one compound sentence
with 3 simple sentences.
Leon and his sisters started singing.

41. Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs, and balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly, and everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first, but then she saw her birthday cake, and a big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing.

42. Compound Sentences:
Big Picture
What we need is BALANCE.
Let’s look at our balance.
simple sentences = orange
compound sentences = blue
Leon hid quietly in the kitchen with his sisters. Streamers were wrapped around the chairs, and balloons were hanging from the ceiling. The cake was set out on the table. Everything was ready. Leon’s mother opened the door suddenly, and everyone yelled, “Surprise!” His mother was scared at first, but then she saw her birthday cake, and a big smile spread across her face. Leon and his sisters started singing.
Not too shabby.

43. Time for some more practice on your own.
Compound Sentences:
Independent Practice
Time for some more practice on your own.

44. Compound Sentences:
Wrapping Up
Wrapping Up
Just like with other parts of your writing, you have choice in how you structure your sentences, but you have to understand those choices first.
You might think that all of this was about trying to remember a bunch of rules.

45. compound sentence Wrapping Up But really, it’s meant to give you
Compound Sentences:
Wrapping Up
Wrapping Up
But really, it’s meant to give you
POWER.
Strong writers do things on purpose. Now, with practice, YOU have the power to know how, when, and why to use a…
compound sentence
in your writing.
………… GOOD LUCK …………

46. Copyright © 2013 by Michael Friermood