Informal Compound, Formal Compound, and Adverb Clause Complex Sentences

Kinds of sentences

What are simple, compound, and complex sentences?

Print a list of the different kinds of connecting words.

Less Formal Compound Sentences: Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS

FANBOYS Explanation:

• for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

• The 7 FANBOYS all follow the same pattern.

  • If you are joining 2 independent clauses with these words, you must have have a comma BEFORE the coordinating conjunction. 

  • All of the FANBOYS are very small words, but grammar teachers call their group by a very big name.

  • I don't always remember the punctuation rules, so I will practice the exercises below.

Practice FANBOYS: 

1. coordinating conjunctions explanation

2. coordinating conjunctions practice

3. more explanation and practice 

More Formal Compound Sentences (with Subordinating Conjunctions / Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitions Words)

Subordinating Conjunctions Explanation:

Like the FANBOYS, conjunctive adverbs also connect 2 independent clauses; however, their punctuation rules are very different. For example, look at how "however" and "for example" are used in these 2 sentences.

Subordinating Conjunctions Practice:

1. Conjunctive Adverbs 1

2. Conjunctive Adverbs 2

3. More practice and explanation

Complex Sentences with Adverbs: Subordinating Conjunctions 

Subordinating Conjunctions Explanation:

• Subordinating Conjunctions are used to connect a dependent clause with an independent clause.

• If the dependent clause comes first, you should use a comma between them. 

• You should not use a comma in most cases if the dependent clause follows the independent clause. 

• You may use a comma before the following contrasting words when they begin a dependent clause that is after the independent clause: although, even though, though, while, and whereas.

Subordinating Conjunctions Practice: 

1. subordinating conjunctions explanation-basic

2. subordinating conjunctions 1

3. subordinating conjunctions 2

4. subordinating conjunctions explanation -intermediate

5. subordinating conjunctions 1

6. more conjunctions

7. because and because of

8. Practice though, although, despite, however

More Adverb Clause Practice

Adverb Clauses (because, even though, if...)

Adverb Clauses of Time (before, after, when, while)