Compound Sentences: Conjunctions and Semicolons

• A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses
• Independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb

Coordinating Conjunctions

• Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses
• The seven coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
• Example: She likes coffee, but he prefers tea

Semicolons

• A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses
• Example: The sun was shining; the birds were singing

Conjunctive Adverbs

• Conjunctive adverbs connect independent clauses while showing a relationship between them
• Common conjunctive adverbs: however, therefore, moreover, consequently, nevertheless
• Example: He studied hard; therefore, he passed the exam

Identifying Compound Sentences

• Look for two independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences
• Check for a coordinating conjunction, semicolon, or conjunctive adverb connecting the clauses
• Ensure each clause has a subject and a verb

Examples of Compound Sentences

• She went to the store, and she bought milk (coordinating conjunction)
• I wanted to go swimming; however, it started to rain (conjunctive adverb)
• The cat slept all day; it was very tired (Semicolon)

Common Errors

• Run-on sentences occur when independent clauses are not properly connected
• Comma splices occur when independent clauses are joined only by a comma
• Ensure correct punctuation and conjunction usage to avoid these errors

Practice Questions about Compound Sentences

• Identify the compound sentence:
  • Because it was raining, I took my umbrella
  • I took my umbrella, for it was raining
  • Although it was raining, I took my umbrella
• Which sentence is a compound sentence?
  • The dog barked loudly at the mailman
  • The dog barked loudly, and the mailman ran away
  • Barking loudly, the dog scared the mailman
• Select the sentence that correctly combines the two independent clauses: "She likes to read." "He prefers to watch movies."
  • She likes to read, and he prefers to watch movies
  • She likes to read he prefers to watch movies
  • She likes to read, but he prefers to watch movies
• Which sentence is NOT a compound sentence?
  • I went to the park, and I flew a kite
  • Although I went to the park, I didn't fly a kite
  • I went to the park; I flew a kite
• Choose the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly:
  • She is tired, therefore she is going to bed
  • She is tired; therefore, she is going to bed
  • She is tired, therefore, she is going to bed
• Which of the following is a compound sentence?
  • Because of the rain, the game was canceled
  • The rain caused the game to be canceled
  • It was raining, so the game was canceled
• Select the correct way to combine: "The cat is sleeping." "The dog is playing."
  • The cat is sleeping, the dog is playing
  • The cat is sleeping, but the dog is playing
  • The cat is sleeping, and the dog is playing
• Identify the compound sentence:
  • After the movie, we went for ice cream
  • We went for ice cream after the movie
  • We watched a movie, and then we went for ice cream
• Which sentence is a compound sentence?
  • Running quickly, he caught the bus
  • He ran quickly; he caught the bus
  • Because he ran quickly, he caught the bus
• Choose the sentence that uses a conjunctive adverb correctly:
  • I studied hard, however I failed the test
  • I studied hard; however, I failed the test
  • I studied hard; however I failed the test
• Which of the following is a compound sentence?
  • Walking to school, I saw a bird
  • I saw a bird while walking to school
  • I walked to school, and I saw a bird
• Select the correct way to combine: "He is tall." "She is short."
  • He is tall however she is short
  • He is tall, but she is short
  • He is tall and she is short
• Identify the compound sentence:
  • Despite the cold, we went swimming
  • We needed to stay inside because of the cold
  • It was cold, but we went swimming
• Which sentence is a compound sentence?
  • He likes to sing and dance
  • He likes to sing, and she likes to dance
  • Because he likes to sing, he joined a band
• Choose the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly:
  • The cake was delicious, I ate two slices
  • The cake was delicious; I ate two slices
  • The cake was delicious; so I ate two slices
• Which of the following is a compound sentence?
  • After eating dinner, I watched TV
  • I watched TV after eating dinner
  • I ate dinner, and then I watched TV
• Select the correct way to combine: "She is happy." "He is sad."
  • She is happy and he is sad
  • She is happy because he is sad
  • She is happy, but he is sad
• Identify the compound sentence:
  • Although he was tired, he finished the race
  • He finished the race even though he was tired
  • He was tired, yet he finished the race
• Which sentence is a compound sentence?
  • I enjoy reading books and writing stories
  • I enjoy reading books, and she enjoys writing stories
  • Because I enjoy reading books, I joined a book club
• Choose the sentence that uses a conjunctive adverb correctly:
  • It was raining, therefore the game was canceled
  • It was raining; therefore, the game was canceled
  • It was raining; therefore the game was canceled
• Which of the following is a compound sentence?
  • Walking in the park, I saw a squirrel
  • I saw a squirrel while walking in the park
  • I walked in the park, and I saw a squirrel
• Select the correct way to combine: "He is smart." "She is funny."
  • He is smart for she is funny
  • He is smart, but she is funny
  • He is smart and she is funny
• Identify the compound sentence:
  • Despite the noise, I fell asleep
  • I fell asleep even though there was noise
  • It was noisy, but I fell asleep
• Which sentence is a compound sentence?
  • He likes to play guitar and sing songs
  • He likes to play guitar, and she likes to sing songs
  • Because he likes to play guitar, he started a band
• Choose the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly:
  • The sun is shining, it is a beautiful day
  • The sun is shining; it is a beautiful day
  • The sun is shining; therefore it is a beautiful day
• Which of the following is a compound sentence?
  • After finishing my work, I went to the gym
  • I went to the gym after finishing my work
  • I finished my work, and then I went to the gym
• Select the correct way to combine: "She is kind." "He is generous."
  • She is kind but he is generous
  • She is kind, and he is generous
  • She is kind because he is generous
• Identify the compound sentence:
  • Although she was late, she apologized
  • She apologized even though she was late
  • She was late, but she apologized
• Which sentence is a compound sentence?
  • I enjoy cooking and baking
  • I enjoy cooking, and she enjoys baking
  • Because I enjoy cooking, I took a culinary class
• Choose the sentence that uses a conjunctive adverb correctly:
  • He studied hard, therefore he passed the test
  • He studied hard; therefore, he passed the test
  • He studied hard; therefore he passed the test