Compound Sentences

Let us now look at how to join two simple sentences of the same value (Independent
Clauses). An independent clause is a group of words that stand as a sentence.
Examples of Independent Clauses:
I like to read.
Terri should go home now.
America is at war with Iraq.
Coordination is the act of combining two independent clauses . There are three
methods of doing this.

Method One:

Independent Clause + Comma + Coordinating + Independent Clause

conjunction

Example: I spent all my savings, so I can’t go to Spain this summer.

In the above example, so is the coordinating conjunction. The coordinating conjunction

establishes a relationship between the two clauses. In this case, the conjunction so
shows that the second sentence is a result of the first.

You will want to memorize the seven coordinating conjunctions and their meanings. To
make this easier, remember the acronym FANBOYS. Each letter stands for a different
conjunction. Here is a list of the fanboys and the relationship that each establishes
between two sentences.

Coordinating Conjunctions Examples

For shows reason. I like to read mystery novels, for I love suspense.
And shows addition. She goes to the beach, and she takes her dog.
Nor adds a negative. I don’t like garlic, nor do I like onions.
(Note that the verb is placed before the subject in the second sentence) .
But shows opposition. He won’t get into the concert, but he can try.
Or shows an alternative. I will take my kids to a movie, or I will stay home.
Yet shows exception. I want to lose weight, yet I eat chocolate daily.
So shows a result. I will study the fanboys, so I can use them well.
 Practice Using Coordinating Conjunctions
Read the following explanation of critical thinking. Then complete the exercise below.

What is Critical Thinking? 1

Can you evaluate what you read and justify what you believe? If so, you are thinking critically.
Deliberating in a purposeful, organized manner in order to assess the value of information, both
old and new, is critical thinking. Critical readers and thinkers . . . do not accept the idea that “If
it’s in print, it must be true.” They do not immediately accept the thinking of others. Rather, they
think for themselves, analyze different aspects of written material in their search for truth, and
then decide how accurate and relevant the printed words are. Critical thinkers build on previous
knowledge. . . to forge new relationships. They recognize both sides of an issue and evaluate
the reasons and evidence in support of each.

Overcome Barriers to Critical Thinking

Allow yourself to think critically, to be challenged, and to change. Recognize and avoid the
following barriers to your own critical thinking:
1. Existing Beliefs—Do you refuse to consider or immediately reject ideas outside of
your belief system? We are culturally conditioned to resist change and feel that our
own way is best.
2. Wishful Thinking—Do you talk yourself into believing things that you know are not
true because you want them to be true? At times we engage in self-denial.
3. Hasty Moral Judgments—Do you tend to evaluate someone or something as good
or bad, right or wrong, and remain fixed in this thinking?
4. Reliance on Authority—Do you think for yourself? Many people let the government,
the church, doctors, religious leaders, and teachers do their thinking for them.
5. Labels—Do you ignore individual differences and lump people and things into
categories? Labels oversimplify, distort the truth, stereotype, and usually incite
anger and rejection.

Exercise
Each sentence below is followed by a coordinating conjunction. Add an independent
clause that would make sense, keeping in mind the relationship between clauses.

1. Samuel seldom thinks for himself, so he is always not presentable_ .

2. I don’t believe everything I read, for some reason _
.
3. My mother follows her horoscope, but I’am not _ .
4. The media often exaggerates events, and _ promote sales _
.
5. The teacher is not always right, nor _ is she always wrong _
.
6. I didn’t like the first class, yet it hold a special place in my memory _
.
7. I can believe everything I hear, or everything I see .
8. I used to think all lawyers were greedy, but the one on my case was generous _
.
1
Taken from Smith, Brenda D. The Reader’s Handbook. New York: Longman, 2001. 123-124.
Method Two:

Independent Clause + Semicolon (;) + Independent Clause

This method may seem like a really easy way to combine two sentences; it is. In fact,
you can use a semicolon the way you would use a period. The only difference is that
with a semicolon, there should be an obvious connection between the two sentences. In
this method, you don’t have a coordinating conjunction to establish the relationship
between the two ideas; the connection must be so clear that it does not need to be
stated.

Unclear connection: Ms. Brown is a great teacher; I’m watching this film she
mentioned.
Connection clear: Ms. Brown is a great teacher; she has recommended this film to us.

Practice With Semicolons

Here are some more sentences about critical thinking. The sentences have been fused
together; they are missing semicolons. Insert a semicolon where needed to create
correct compound sentences.

1. I don’t think my father will ever become a critical thinker; he is resistant to change.
2. Do not let gossip pollute your workplace; stand up to those who spread rumors.
3. Even the newspaper is biased; I will pay attention to the way they present thefacts.
4. My friends from high school label; everybody I am tired of their prejudice.
5. I will raise my kids to be critical thinkers; it won’t be easy.
6. I wrote a letter to The Sentinel; I was angry at the way they stereotyped my race.
7. I am not always open to new information; I find it hard to admit that I might be wrong.

Add to each sentence below with a semicolon and a sentence of your own.
1. My parents follow the Pope’s teachings; they are belive to pope’s .
2. Susan does everything her boyfriend tells her; she loves her boyfriend so much .
3. I don’t want to judge her; I don’t want to be a bully _ _.
4. I used to think that my parents knew everything; they even know what I’m think _.
5. I want to believe that our leaders are moral; they do whatever they like _ .
6. Not everything you read on the Internet is true; some people write fake news .
7. That’s your point of view; if everyone it could change _ _ .
Method Three:

Independent Clause + Semicolon + Conjunctive + Comma + Independent Clause Adverb

Example: I am disgusted with your behavior; however, I will give you another chance.
This is a more formal way of combining two independent clauses. The formality is
created by the use of conjunctive adverbs. In the example above, however is the
conjunctive adverb. It means the same thing as the coordinating conjunction but.
Many of the coordinating conjunctions have corresponding conjunctive adverbs that
work well in writing for college, the workplace, and other formal occasions.

Coordinating Conjunctions Corresponding Conjunctive Adverbs

Furthermore
Moreover
AND In addition
In fact
Indeed

However
BUT or YET Nevertheless
Nonetheless

Consequently
SO Therefore
As a result

Practice Using Conjunctive Adverbs

Complete the student letter below by filling in the blanks with conjunctive adverbs.

Dear Boss:

I have had enough of your unfair treatment; therefore , I have decided to leave
your employment. I am giving you my two weeks notice; however , I will not return to
work after February 8th. I am tempted to write to your superiors about your behavior;
furthermore _, I do not want to waste any more time thinking about you. I will be back to pick
up my final paycheck on February 9th; _ consequently _, please have my profit sharing
bonus ready at that time.

Yours truly,
 Directions: In the following exercises, turn the sentence pairs into single compound
sentences, each with a coordinating conjunction. You can rearrange or add words in the
sentence to make it sound better, but only if it's necessary.

1. The black dog has won many prizes. He doesn't know many tricks.

The black dog has won many prizes, but he doesn’t many tricks.
2. She saw a cat run in front of her. She fell down while roller-skating.

She saw a cat run in front of her, so she fell down while roller-skating.

3. There was a meteor shower. The crew did not know how to avoid the meteors.

There was a meteor shower, but the crew did not know how to avoid the meteors.

4. I wanted to buy a baby Chihuahua. I started to save my money.

I wanted to buy a baby Chihuahua, so I started to save my money.

5. Gillian did not like to read. She was not very good at it.

Gillian did not like to read, so she was not very good at it.
6. Pam liked Wayne. Leena also liked Wayne.

Pam liked Wayne, and Leena also like Wayne.

7. The little boy did not like going to school. He went anyway.

The little boy did not like going to school, yet he went anyway.

8. You can cry like a baby. You can clean your room like an adult.

You can cry like a baby or you can clean your room like an adult.

9. She didn't want to play with Jill. She didn't want to play with Tim.

She didn’t want to play with Jill, and she didn’t want play with Tim.

10. Arleen could not play with that boy. Arleen could not play with that other boy.

Arleen could not play with that boy, nor Arleen could not play with that other boy.

11. Let's go to the swimming pool. It's hot inside the house.

Let’s go to the swimming pool, for it’s hot inside the house.

12. I don’t want to eat. I don't want to drink.

I don’t want to eat, and I don’t want to drink.

13. I don’t want to practice playing my violin. I don’t want to disobey my mother.
I don’t want to practice playing my violin, yet I don’t want to disobey my mother.

14. I want to own my own company. I want to pay all my workers a lot of money.

I want to own my own company, so I want to pay all my workwrs a lot of money.

15. I need to go to the store. I'm feeling too sick to drive.

I need to go to the store, but I’m feeling too sick to drive.

16. Rabbits make good pets. They don’t make too much noise and they are clean.

Rabbits make good pets, for they don’t make too much noise and they are clean.

17. I want to go to the circus. I want to ride a pony.

I want to go to circus, for I want to ride a pony.

18. I didn’t do my homework. My parents punished me.

I didn’t do my homework, so my parents punished me.

19. I have never visited Asia. I have never visited Africa.

I have never visited Asia, and I have never visited Africa.

20. You can make a big poster. You can make a little clay statue.

You can make a big poster, nor you can make a little clay statue.