Combining

Sentences
When two sentences are combined to form one more

When two sentences are combined to form one more

elaborate
elaboratesentence,
sentence,ititis
iscalled
calledcall
callaacompound
compound
sentence.
sentence.
Ex.
Ex.My
Mymothers
motherscooking
cookingis
isgreat.
great. My
Mygrandmothers
grandmothers
cooking
cookingis
isaawhole
wholelot
lotbetter
better..
Ex.
Ex.My
Mymothers
motherscooking
cookingis
isgreat,
great,but
butmy
my
grandmothers
grandmotherscooking
cookingis
isaawhole
wholelot
lotbetter
better..
Before
Beforewe
welearn
learnmore
moreabout
aboutcompound
compoundsentences
sentences
lets
letsreview
reviewsome
somebasic
basicterms
termsyou
youneed
needto
toknow.
know.

Terms We Should Know

Complete Subject the part of an

independent clause made up by a word or
group of words that states who or what
the sentence is about.
Complete Predicate - the part of an
independent clause made up by a word or
group of words that states what the
subject is or is doing.
Independent Clause a sentence with
one complete subject and one complete
predicate.

Terms We Should Know

(Continued)

Coordinating Conjunction a word that

connects phrases and clauses
Comma a punctuation mark that helps
combine independent clauses when used
with a coordinating conjunction.
Semi-colon a punctuation mark that
combines two independent clauses.

How to Combine Sentences:

Rule # 1

Two independent clauses can be combined to

for a compound sentence by using a comma
and a coordinating conjunction.

The period is replaced with a comma.

A coordinating conjunction is added.
Remember to lowercase the initial letter of
your second independent clause.
Example: My mothers cooking if great, but
my grandmothers cooking is a whole lot
better.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Before we continue lets take a look at

the coordinating conjunctions and what
each one means.

This will help you use the coordinating

conjunctions correctly without altering
the meaning of the independent clauses.

Coordinating Conjunctions
(Continued)

for used in a similar way as because

and - in addition to
nor choice, alternative
but contrast, opposition
or choice, alternative
yet contrast, opposition
so result, effect

Rule # 2

Another way to combine two independent

clauses to form a compound sentence is
by replacing the period of the first
independent clause with a semi-colon.

Example: My mothers cooking is

great; my grandmothers cooking is
a whole lot better.

Comma Splice
A comma splice is the term that refers to
the improper use of a comma to form a
compound sentence.
Example: My mothers cooking is

great, my grandmothers cooking is

a whole lot better.
*This is a very common mistake.