Compound Sentences

STANDARDELACC8L2: Demonstrate command of the conventions

of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

a. Use punctuation (comma)

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains 2 or more independent clauses and 0 dependent clauses

• 1 Ind Clause + 1 Ind Clause= Compound Examples1. Ex. James went to the carnival, and he ate cotton

candy. 2. Rachel finished her AR book, but she did not pass

the AR test.

A compound sentence may be more than 2 independent clauses

Ex. Jenny wanted to run a mile, but she fell, and she twisted her ankle, so she had to go to the hospital.

Punctuation!1. Compound Sentences can be joined with a

comma and a coordinating (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Examples1.Peter did not like the lunch menu, so he

packed his own lunch for school. 2.We can go to the game, or we can go to a

movie.

Punctuation

2. Compound sentences can be joined with a comma and a correlative conjunction pair (either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also, whether/or)

Ex. Not only do we have math homework, but we also have English homework.

Ex. We can either watch a movie, or we can see what’s on TV.

Usage rule

“Whether” goes with “or” (choices)“if” never goes with “or” (cause/effect)

Correct: I don’t know whether it will rain or not. Incorrect: I don’t know if it will rain or not.Correct: I don’t know whether it will rain.Incorrect: I don’t know if it will rain. Correct: If it rains, we will stay inside.

Punctuation!

3. Compound sentences can be joined with a semi colon. (;)

Examples1. The dog could not find his favorite chew toy;

he chewed on his owner’s shoes instead.

Punctuation

4. Compound sentences can be joined with a semicolon, transition and a comma.

Ex. Rachel stirred the milk into the cake mix; next, she added the eggs.

Don’t forget

• Compound sentences might also contain one of the possible simple comma elements within an independent clause.

Ex. I planned a party for Melissa, my sister, and I invited all of our friends.

Simple vs. compound

Be careful. Simple sentences can have compound parts. Do not mix up a simple sentence with compound parts and a compound sentence.

Simple vs. Compound

Compound Sentence:I went to the mall, and I bought some new

shoes. Simple Sentence:I went to the mall and bought some new

shoes.

Simple or Compound1. I tossed the ball into the air and hit it with the

bat. 2. I made a sandwich for lunch, but I left it at

home. 3. Rick did not catch the ball; he dropped it. 4. Margaret runs the hurdles, does the high

jump, and throws the javelin.

The sentence uses commas to…• Join 2 independent clauses with a coordinating or

correlative conjunction • Join 2 independent clauses with a transition and a

semi colon• Separate a list of single words• Separate a list of multiword elements• Separate adjectives• Set off an appositive• Set off a direct address• Set of an introductory element• Set of a transition• Set of a modifier that interrupts or follows• Set off an interjection• Show contradiction