1. Writing Compound Sentences
Ms. Davis’s 5th-Grade ELA Classes

2. Compound Sentences: What You Need to Know
Compound means made up of 2 or more parts.
A compound sentence is 2 or more complete sentences joined together.
There are 2 different methods we can use to write compound sentences.

3. Compound Sentences: Method #1 (Low-Level)
Use a COORDINATING CONJUNCTION to join two complete sentences.
Use a comma BEFORE a coordinating conjunction to separate the first sentence from the second.

4. What are Coordinating Conjunctions?
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS are words used to join (or coordinate) parts of sentences.
You can learn ALL of the coordinating conjunctions by remembering FANBOYS!
For And Nor But Or Yet So
Note: FOR, when used as a coordinating
conjunction, means BECAUSE !

5. Method #1 Compound Sentences: 4 Easy Steps
1. Write 2 complete sentences: My dog plays all day. My cat sleeps all day. 2. Choose a coordinating conjunction that would best join the 2 sentences: but

6. Method #1 Compound Sentences: 4 Easy Steps
3. Write the first sentence, add a COMMA, and then add the coordinating conjunction (but). My dog plays all day, but

7. Method #1 Compound Sentences: 4 Easy Steps
4. Add the second sentence after the FANBOYS. My dog plays all day, but my cat sleeps all day.

8. Your Turn: Method #1
Use the Method #1 strategy to combine the sentences to make a compound. 1. My room is clean. It is cool. 2. I like pizza. I don’t like hot dogs. 3. I’m having a party. It is my birthday. 4. He hit me. I hit him back. 5. We can go bowling. We can go to the mall.

9. Your Turn: Method #1
ANSWERS: Use the Method #1 strategy to combine the sentences to make a compound. 1. My room is clean, and it is cool. 2. I like pizza, but I don’t like hot dogs. 3. I’m having a party, for it is my birthday. 4. He hit me, so I hit him back. 5. We can go bowling, or we can go to the mall.

10. Compound Sentences: Method #2 (High-Level)
Use a SEMICOLON (;) to join two complete sentences.

11. Method #2 Compound Sentences: 3 Easy Steps
1. Write 1 complete sentence: My dog plays all day. 2. Change the period (.) to a semicolon (;): My dog plays all day;

12. Method #2 Compound Sentences: 3 Easy Steps
3. Add another complete sentence after the semicolon: My dog plays all day; my cat sleeps all day.

13. Your Turn: Method #2
Use the Method #2 strategy to combine the sentences to make a compound. 1. I have to go home. It is late. 2. My cat has fleas. She is miserable. 3. It is cold today. I’m wearing gloves. 4. Get in the car. We’re running late. 5. I lost my keys. I need to call Mom.

14. Your Turn: Method #1
ANSWERS: Use the Method #2 strategy to combine the sentences to make a compound. 1. I have to go home; it is late. 2. My cat has fleas; she is miserable. 3. It is cold today; I’m wearing gloves. 4. Get in the car; we’re running late. 5. I lost my keys; I need to call Mom.

15. Uh-Oh…Be Careful!
Remember, a compound sentence must have 2 COMPLETE sentences.
DO NOT add a comma to sentences that use FANBOYS if there are not 2 complete sentences!
Comma: My dad is big, and he is kind.
NO Comma: My dad is big and kind.

16. Pop Quiz!
Let’s practice! Add commas IF needed, and underline the coordinating conjunctions (be careful!). 1. Ben is sweet but he’s not real smart. 2. Tonya yells and she needs to stop. 3. Do you want salad or green beans? Join the sentences to make a compound using BOTH methods. 4. I like cheese. It tastes good. 5. I can’t watch TV. I will read. 6. Sam wants pizza. Tom doesn’t.

17. (Only 1 complete sentence! No commas!)
Pop Quiz ANSWERS!
Let’s practice!
Add commas IF needed, and underline the coordinating conjunctions (be careful!).
1. Ben is sweet, but he’s not real smart.
2. Tonya yells, and she needs to stop.
3. Do you want salad or green beans?
(Only 1 complete sentence! No commas!)

18. Pop Quiz ANSWERS!
Let’s practice! Join the sentences to make a compound using BOTH methods. 4. I like cheese, for it tastes good. I like cheese; it tastes good. 5. I can’t watch TV, so I will read. I can’t watch TV; I will read. 6. Sam wants pizza, but Tom doesn’t. Sam wants pizza; Tom doesn’t.