Compound Sentences (Coordination)

Compound sentences are composed of two independent clauses joined with a coordinating
conjunction: FANBOYS.

The storm came without notice, and the people scrambled to avoid getting wet.

Coordination is the combining of sentences using coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, so.  These conjunctions combine sentences of equal value.

Examples of Sentences using Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

FANBOYS sentence

I brought an umbrella, for the news report said it would

For       (because)   
rain.

Jenny drives an old Ford truck, and her brother drives a

And      (also)
tiny Kia.

Nor      (and not)    She wouldn’t read the book, nor would she see the movie.

I was going to see the talk, but I felt too tired to get out of
But       (however) 
bed.

You can go to work in Tampa, or you can stay in New

Or        (choice)  
Port Richey.

The neighbors complained, yet he continued to party until

Yet       (nevertheless)
4 a.m.

So       
The car had a flat tire, so we were late for class.
(consequently)

Comma Use in Coordination

Commas are not always needed.

If the coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses (sentences that can stand on
their own), a comma is used. If not, no comma is used.

No comma:  I went to the store and went home.

The word group I went to the store can stand alone as a complete sentence. It contains a
subject, I, and a verb, went. However, the second part of the sentence is not independent. It
contains no subject.

Comma needed:  I went to the store, and he stayed home.

Here, there are two independent clauses, each with both a subject (I and he) and a verb
(went  and stayed). Therefore, a comma is required.
Use a comma after each item when there are more than two items in a series:

No Comma:  I like apples and bananas.

There are only two items.

No Comma: I like apples baked with walnuts and bananas topped with chocolate and whipped
cream.

It does not make any difference if there is more than one word in the item.

Comma needed:  I like apples, bananas, and peaches.

There must be a comma before the and. (Note:  Many publications and teachers do not use the
comma before the and.  However, on standardized tests, it is required.)

Semicolon Use in Coordination

Two independent sentences may be joined with a semicolon instead of a coordinating

conjunction (FANBOYS word).  Using a semicolon is another way of creating a compound
sentence.  Use of a semicolon should be limited to short independent clauses that are so closely
related that they seem to belong in one sentence.

Transitional Words in Coordination

Transitional words are words such as indeed, however, in other words can be used following the
semicolon to begin the independent clause. Remember that these are introductory words and
must be followed with a comma.

The tsunami crashed on the shore and started flooding the town; however, no one was injured.

Rules in Coordination:

1. Never start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction.

2. Only use a comma when you join two complete sentences or three or more items
in a row.
3. The comma always goes before the coordinating conjunction.
4. When using a semicolon to create a compound sentence, be sure there is an
independent clause (word group that can stand alone as a sentence) on both sides.

*Be careful about the word for.  Sometimes it is a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

needing a comma, and sometimes it is simply a preposition which never needs a comma.  If you
can substitute the word because, it is a coordinating conjunction.

Conjunction: I stayed up all night worrying, for my son was in the hospital.

Preposition: I had to bring my own water for the camping trip.

Coordination is one way of combining sentences to add variety to writing instead of only using

short sentences.Office of Marketing and Communications