Compound Sentences

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses (IC) or simple sentences.

These sentences are combined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

Note: The patter is: IC, conjunction IC. Remember, each half of the sentence should be able to

stand on its own as a simple sentence.

Example 1:

"I walked to the park, and the dark lord met me there."

Pattern:

IC, comma , conjunction, IC

Example 2:

"The dragon flew to the grocery store, but they were out of dragon breath mints."

Pattern:

IC, comma, conjunction, IC

Note: Do not forget your Coordinating Conjunctions when you use a comma. FANBOYS is an

acronym for the most common conjunctions:

F for

A and

N nor

B but/ because

O or

Y yet

S so

Hint: Make sure that you do not include a comma if the second part of the sentence does not have a

subject and/or action (Dependant Clause: DC). In the following example, just think of the comma

as a monkey's tail.

Example 3:

"I had a monkey, and it had a tail."

(In this sentence, it sounds like the monkey is the one with the tail, so include the monkey tail, or

comma.

Example 4:

I had a monkey and a tail.

(In this sentence, it sounds like the narrator has a tail and not the monkey, so leave out the monkey's

tail.... no comma. This makes it a simple sentence, not a compound sentence)