Compound SentencesWhere simple sentences make out.

A Quick ReviewSimple sentences are:

A subject: what the sentence is about

A verb: what the subject is doing or being

Optionally, an object: what completes the verb

And, it must be a complete thought.

SVO

A Simple SentenceSo, a simple sentence is:

S V O+ + =SS

And also…

S S V VAnd so on…

The Compound SentenceJust like with people, sometimes two simple

sentences have a lot in common, and they want to spend all of their time together.

SS

SS

Hi there.

Hi yoursel

f.

I see you are all

about the blue

I AM all about the

blue!

Maybe we should hang.

Maybe we should ;)

WAIT!

Don’t sell yourself cheap!

The Compound SentenceFor a compound sentence, you need:

Two simple sentences

SS

SS

A relationship (we’ll get to this later)

A connection I’m about the blue!

Me, too!

The Compound SentenceFirst, what is this connection?

We’ll focus on one today…

Comma and conjunction

The Comma and Conjunction This is one of the most common patterns.

,The comma separates things to make

them easier to read and understand.

andThe conjunction tells us what the relationship

between the simple sentences is.

but so

for

yetor

nor

The Comma and ConjunctionPutting two simple sentences together that

have a relationship looks like this:

SS

SS

I like blue the most.

It is my favorite

color

, so

I like blue the most

, so

it is my favorite color.

The Comma and ConjunctionNotice that both sides of the conjunction are

…

I like blue the most

, so

it is my favorite color.

S V O+ +

The Comma and ConjunctionAnother quick example:

Satrapi wrote Persepolis

We are reading that book in class.

SS S

Swe are reading that book in class. Satrapi wrote Persepolis, and

, and

Sentence Pattern 3

SS

, C

Compound SentencesThe last thing you have to remember is that

the two simple sentences need to have a relationship as well as a connection.

I like blue a lot, so it is my favorite color.

• You don’t want to jam two sentences together that don’t have a relationship.

• Both of these simple sentences are about how much I like the color blue. They have an obvious relationship.

I like blue a lot, and that cat is on fire.

• These two simple sentences don’t have a relationship. There is no reason to put them together.

The Relationship The Conjunction shows the relationship between the ideas:

and = the 2nd sentence contains the same type of ideaI like to ride my bicycle, and Lester likes to ride as well.

but = the 2nd sentence contains an equal but opposite ideaI like to ride my bicycle, but Lester prefers ponies.

so = the 2nd sentence contains an equally important outcome or resultI walked my pony to the pond, so the burglar was able to steal

my unicorn.

or = the 2nd sentence contains an equal choiceI can lop off that giraffe’s head, or I can

shave that monkey’s butt.

nor = the 2nd sentence means also not. They were not wearing jackets, nor were they

carrying umbrellas.

for = the same thing as becauseBatman is a hero, for he is successful in catching the

criminals in his city.

yet = the same thing as butI asked for hours and hours, yet Roxanne still

wouldn’t go to Homecoming with me.

The Comma and ConjunctionA little practice for your journal

SS

SSSSSS

SS

SS

, but

, or

, nor

1.

2.

3.

SS

SSSSSS

SS

SS

, for

, yet

, so

4.

5.

6.

Compound SentencesA quick

summary:When two crazy kids simple sentences

SS

SS

have:

1. A relationship

and, 2. A connection

I love blue!

Me, too!

, c

comma and conjunction

They can be together forever as a compound sentence!

CS

Compound Sentences Let’s Check our Knowledge

A. Simple Sentence B. Compound SentenceC. Neither

1. I am at home in Iran, for it is where my heart is.

2. Iran has among the most bloody histories in the mid-East.

3. I want to go to Iran and I want to see the cities.

4. The Shah and the Ayatollah fought against each other. 

5. Writing about the past.