Writing in English

How to Write a
Compound Sentence
Lesson Objective
In this lesson, you will learn how to write a compound sentence
using independent clauses and coordinating conjunctions. You
will also learn how to use a semicolon, a colon, and an em dash.
Lastly, you will learn how NOT to use a comma. Let’s begin!

Warm-Up
A. Writing

1. Write a sentence with the word “but.”

2. Write a sentence with the word “so.”

3. Write a sentence with the word “and.”

4. N
 ow read your sentences with a partner.
See if each sentence can easily be split into two sentences.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

Warm-Up cont.
B. Vocabulary Preview

Match these words to their correct definitions.

1. compound sentence a)  a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses

2. coordinating conjunction b)  a helping verb that creates tense, mood, or voice (e.g., do, have)

c)  to switch around

3. acronym
d)  an abbreviation from the first letters of
4. independent clause
a few words, pronounced as a single word
5. auxiliary verb e)  part of a sentence that can exist by itself, has a subject and predicate

6. reverse f)  a punctuation mark that looks like this [:]

7. semicolon g)  a small joining word that can connect independent clauses

8. colon h)  a punctuation mark that looks like this [;]

i)  a punctuation mark that looks like this [—]

9. em dash
j)  a noun made of two or more words (e.g., hairstyle, swimming pool)
10. comma splice
k)  a writing error made by fusing independent clauses incorrectly
11. compound noun with a comma instead of an acceptable punctuation mark

Three Ways to Write a Compound Sentence

A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses.
An independent clause has a subject and predicate and can stand
on its own. An independent clause is NOT dependent on other parts
of the sentence. There are three ways to write a compound sentence:

with a coordinating conjunction with a semicolon with a colon or em dash

• I like going to the movies, • I like going to the movies; • I like going to the movies:
and I’m going tonight. I’m going tonight. I’m going tonight.

• I like going to the movies—

I’m going tonight.

Let’s look at each way in more detail.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

Three Ways to Write a Compound Sentence cont.

A. Coordinating Conjunctions

The most common way to write a compound sentence is with a

coordinating conjunction. In a compound sentence, a coordinating
conjunction (or coordinator) connects and comes between
related independent clauses. For example:

I like eggs, but I don’t like milk.

independent clause #1 coordinating independent clause #2
conjunction

The 7 Coordinating FANBOYS A Note about

Conjunctions You can remember all seven
Punctuation
There are seven coordinating coordinators with the acronym It is always correct to use a
conjunctions. They are all FANBOYS. You can also comma before a coordinating
small words. remember that coordinators conjunction to separate two
are always small words. independent clauses. Some
• for • but • so
writers omit the comma when
• and • or
the sentences are short.
• nor* • yet
• My
 dog likes bones but
he likes bananas too.

Task 1

Circle the coordinating conjunction in each sentence,

and underline the independent clauses.

1. I went to the store, but I forgot to buy bread.

2. The exam may be easy, or it may be quite difficult.

3. I haven’t called her, so I don’t know the answer.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

Three Ways to Write a Compound Sentence cont.

A. Coordinating Conjunctions cont.

*Nor
The coordinating conjunction nor is a bit tricky.
Let’s take a look at the following example:

I didn’t call your father, nor did I call your mother.

RULE #1 RULE #2

The first clause has to be negative. The auxiliary verb and subject are reversed in the second clause.

• I didn’t call your father. • Nor did I call your mother.

Task 2

Rewrite the following as one compound sentence with nor.

1. I haven’t been to Mexico. I haven’t been to Spain.

2. I don’t like spaghetti. I don’t like lasagna.

3. I don’t drink coffee. I don’t drink tea.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

Three Ways to Write a Compound Sentence cont.

B. Semicolons

Occasionally, a semicolon is used to create a compound sentence.

This is only used if the independent clauses are very short and very
closely related.

• I woke; I wept.
• It was hot; it was humid.
• We live; we die.

As you can see below, all of these sentences can be rewritten as two
sentences or as a single sentence with a coordinating conjunction.

• I woke. I wept. or I woke and I wept.

• It was hot. It was humid. or It was hot and it was humid.
• We live. We die. or We live and we die.

Task 3

Rewrite the following sentences into one compound sentence with a semicolon.

1. He wanted the apartment. I wanted the house.

2. She talked, and we listened.

3. He doesn’t drink wine, but he drinks beer.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

Three Ways to Write a Compound Sentence cont.

C. Colons or Em Dashes

It is also possible to use a colon (:) or an em dash (—) to form a compound

sentence. An em dash is longer than an en dash (–) and a hyphen (-).

• You
 have two choices: eat your breakfast or go hungry.
• I ’m exhausted—it’s 11:00.

As with other compound sentences, the parts on both sides

of the colon or em dash can be split into complete sentences.

• Y ou have two choices. Eat your breakfast or go hungry.

• I ’m exhausted. It’s 11:00.

Task 4

Rewrite the following sentences by writing a single

compound sentence with a colon or an em dash.

1. He quit. It happened on Saturday.

2. There are two options. You can have toast or cereal.

3. I’m angry. The lights were left again.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

The Comma Splice

A COMMON ERROR

One common writing error is to write a compound sentence without a

coordinating conjunction. You can place a semicolon between two very
short independent clauses, but you cannot place a comma between them.

Examples

� I’m old. I’m 99.

� I’m old; I’m 99. *Comma Splice
� I’m old: I’m 99. The final example to the left is a comma splice.
� I’m old—I’m 99. You may also hear it being called a run-on sentence or a fused sentence.
� I’m old, for I’m 99. In English, you cannot divide independent clauses with a comma.
� I’m old, I’m 99.*

If you aren’t sure if your sentence contains a comma splice, try this trick.
Exchange your comma for a period and capitalize your second sentence.
Do your two sentences stand alone independently? If yes, your comma is
incorrect. Try one of the fixes above.

Task 5
Note:
Correct the comma splice in each sentence. Try to You do use a comma to set a dependent
use a variety of methods to make your corrections. clause off from an independent clause.

• Because he is 99, he is too old to drive.

1. We went to the mall, we bought school clothes.
This is a complex sentence. You’ll learn
2. I like peaches, they have to be ripe. about complex sentences in another lesson.
3. Summer is my favourite time of year, I love August.

4. My dad is from Spain, my mom is from Africa.

5. The plane left late, we arrived on time.

6. I go to university, it’s my first year.

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 How to Write a Compound Sentence
Writing in English

Comprehension Check-In A Checklist

Work with a partner and answer the following CHECKING YOUR WRITING
questions based on the lesson so far.
—— Are my independent clauses separated with an
1. What is an independent clause? appropriate punctuation mark and/or conjunction?

2. What are the seven coordinating conjunctions? —— Are there any comma splices in my writing?

3. What is this punctuation mark called? [:] —— Could my semicolon in my compound

sentence be easily replaced with a period?
4. W
 hy is it tricky to create a
compound sentence with nor? —— Are the independent clauses on both sides
of my semicolon closely related and short?
5. W
 hy can’t you separate two
independent clauses with a comma?

6. W
 hat punctuation marks can
be used to correct a comma splice?

Writing Challenge
COMPOUND NOUN STORY

Just like a compound sentence has two equal parts, a compound noun
has two or more parts. A compound noun is made up of noun + noun
(train station) or adjective + noun (high school). It may combine two or
more words (sister-in-law).

A. Make a List B. Write a Story

Work together as a class to make a list of ten compound nouns. Then write individual stories that
contains all ten of these words.
1. 6. Make sure that your story has at
least five compound sentences.
2. 7.

3. 8. C. Share Your Story

4. 9.
Share your story with a classmate.
5. 10. Have your partner circle the
compound nouns and underline
the compound sentences.

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