CHAPTER

Writing Compound
16 Sentences
PREVIEW

In this chapter, you will

learn
• to form compound
sentences with
coordinating
conjunctions (16A)
• to form compound
sentences with
semicolons (16B)
• to form compound
sentences with
transitional words and
phrases (16C)

 Culture Clue  WRITING FIRST

Day care is childcare that
is available during the
day while parents work.
 Word Power
stigmatize to characterize
as disgraceful
controversial causing great
differences of opinion
The picture above shows a high school graduation with
two of the graduating students holding their children.
Look at the picture, and then write a letter to the presi-
dent of your college explaining why your campus needs
a day-care center. (If your school already has a day-care
center, explain why it deserves continued — or increased —
funding.)

256
 16 A 257
The most basic kind of sentence, a simple sentence, consists of a single Writing
independent clause: one subject and one verb. Compound Sentences

European immigrants arrived at Ellis Island.

Teaching Tip
A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences Tell students that a clause
(independent clauses). is a group of words that con-
tains a subject and a verb.
Make sure they understand
that an independent clause
can stand alone as a sentence
A Using Coordinating Conjunctions but a dependent clause
cannot. Refer them to 17A.

One way to form a compound sentence is by joining two independent

clauses with a coordinating conjunction preceded by a comma.
 Word Power
European immigrants arrived at Ellis Island, but Asian immigrants coordinate equal in
arrived at Angel Island. importance, rank, or degree

Teaching Tip
Coordinating Conjunctions Remind students that a
comma alone cannot
and for or yet connect two independent
but nor so clauses. Refer them to
Chapter 21.

Coordinating conjunctions join two ideas of equal importance. They

describe the relationship between two ideas, showing how and why the
ideas are related. Different coordinating conjunctions have different
meanings.

■ To indicate addition, use and.

He acts like a child, and people think he is cute.

■ To indicate contrast or contradiction, use but or yet.

He acts like a child, but he is an adult.

He acts like a child, yet he longs to be taken seriously.

■ To indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, use so or for.

He acts like a child, so we treat him like one.

He acts like a child, for he craves attention.

Teaching Tip
■ To present alternatives, use or. Remind students that when
a compound sentence is
He acts like a child, or he is ignored. formed with nor, the verb
comes before the subject in
■ To eliminate alternatives, use nor. the second independent
clause.
He does not act like a child, nor does he look like one.
258 16 A
WRITING
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
Teaching Tip
Remind students that in a
compound sentence, there is
a complete sentence on each
side of the coordinating
conjunction.
ON THE WEB
Visit Exercise Central at
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for more practice.
FOCUS Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
When you use a coordinating conjunction to link two independent
clauses into a single compound sentence, always put a comma
before the coordinating conjunction.
We can stand in line all night, or we can go home now.
Remember, though, not to use a comma before a coordinating
conjunction unless it links two complete independent clauses.
INCORRECT We can stand in line all night, or go home now.
CORRECT We can stand in line all night or go home now.
◆ PRACTICE 16-1
Fill in the coordinating conjunction — and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet — that
most logically links the two parts of each compound sentence. Remember
to insert a comma before each coordinating conjunction.
Example: Fairy tales have been told by many people around the
but the stories by two German brothers may be the most
world , ______
^
famous.
Answers will vary.
(1) Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm lived in the nineteenth century, and
^
they wrote many well-known fairy tales. (2) Most people think fondly of
fairy tales, but/yet the Brothers Grimm wrote many unpleasant and vio-
^
lent stories. (3) In their best-known works, children are abused , and
^
endings are not always happy. (4) Either innocent children are brutally
punished for no reason, or they are neglected. (5) For example, in “Hansel
^
and Gretel,” the stepmother mistreats the children, and their father
^
abandons them in the woods. (6) In this story, the events are
horrifying, but/yet the ending is still happy. (7) The children outwit the
^
evil adults, so/and they escape unharmed. (8) Apparently, they are not in-
^
jured physically, nor are they harmed emotionally. (9) Nevertheless, their
^
story can hardly be called pleasant , for it remains a story of child abuse
^
and neglect.
 16 A 259
◆ PRACTICE 16-2 Writing
Compound Sentences
Join each of the following pairs of independent clauses with a coordinating
conjunction. Be sure to place a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
, and it
Example: A computer makes drafting essays easier. It also makes
^
revision easier.

1. Training a dog to heel is difficult. Dogs naturally resist strict control.

2. A bodhran is an Irish drum. It is played with a wooden stick.

3. Students should spend two hours of study time for each hour of class

time. They may not do well in the course.

4. Years ago, students wrote their lessons on slates. The teacher could

correct each student’s work individually.

5. Each state in the United States has two senators. The number of

representatives depends on a state’s population.

6. In 1973, only 2.5 percent of those in the U.S. military were women. By

2008, that percentage had increased to 20 percent.

7. A “small craft advisory” warns boaters of bad weather conditions. These

conditions can be dangerous to small boats.

8. A DVD looks like a CD. It can hold fifteen times as much information.

9. Hip-hop fashions include sneakers and baggy pants. These styles are

very popular among today’s young men.

10. Multiple births have become more and more common. Even septuplets

have a reasonable chance of survival today.

◆ PRACTICE 16-3
Add coordinating conjunctions to combine some of the simple sentences Teaching Tip
in the following paragraph. Remember to put a comma before each coor- If your students are ready,
dinating conjunction you add. have them revise this para-
graph by varying the sen-
, but today, tence openings. Teach or
Example: Years ago, few Americans lived to be one hundred. Today, review options for sentence
^ openings, referring students
there are over 32,000 centenarians. to 18B.

Answers will vary.

(1) Diet, exercise, and family history may explain centenarians’ long

lives. (2) This is not the whole story. (3) A recent study showed surprising

similarities among centenarians. (4) They did not all avoid tobacco and
260 16 A
WRITING alcohol. (5) They did not have low-fat diets. (6) In fact, they ate relatively
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
large amounts of fat, cholesterol, and sugar. (7) Diet could not explain their

long lives. (8) They did, however, share four key traits. (9) First, all the cen-

tenarians were optimistic about life. (10) All were positive thinkers. (11)

They also had deep religious faith. (12) In addition, they had all continued

to lead physically active lives. (13) They remained mobile even as elderly

people. (14) Finally, all were able to adapt to loss. (15) They had all lost

friends, spouses, or children. (16) They were able to get on with their lives.

◆ PRACTICE 16-4
Write another simple sentence to follow each of the sentences below. Then,
connect the sentences with a coordinating conjunction and the correct
punctuation.

Example: Many patients need organ transplants. , but there is a serious

shortage of organ donors.

Answers will vary.

Teaching Tip 1. Smoking in bed is dangerous.
Have students write some of
their sentences on the board.

2. Some cars are equipped with GPS systems.

3. Diamonds are very expensive.

4. Kangaroos carry their young in pouches.

5. Dancing is good exercise.

6. Motorcycle helmet laws have been dropped in some states.

7. Some businesses sponsor bowling leagues for their employees.

8. Pretzels are a healthier snack than potato chips.

 16 B 261
9. Many so-called juices actually contain very little real fruit juice. Writing
Compound Sentences

10. People tend to resist change.

 WRITING FIRST: Flashback

Look back at your response to the Writing First activity on
page 256. If you see any compound sentences, bracket them. If
you see any pairs of simple sentences that could be combined
into one compound sentence, rewrite them below, joining
them with appropriate coordinating conjunctions.

1.

2.

3.

Be sure each of your new compound sentences includes a

comma before the coordinating conjunction.

B Using Semicolons

Another way to create a compound sentence is by joining two simple Teaching Tip
sentences (independent clauses) with a semicolon. Remind students not to use
a capital letter after a semi-
The AIDS quilt contains thousands of panels; each panel is rec- colon.
tangular.

A semicolon generally connects clauses whose ideas are closely linked.

 Culture Clue
The AIDS Memorial Quilt
is a huge quilt whose
◆ PRACTICE 16-5 individual squares
celebrate the lives of
Each of the following items consists of one simple sentence. Create a com- people who have died
pound sentence for each item by changing the period to a semicolon and from AIDS, Acquired
Immune Deficiency
then adding another simple sentence.
Syndrome.

Example: My brother is addicted to fast food. ; he eats it every day.

262 16 B
WRITING 1. Fast-food restaurants are an American institution.
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
Answers will vary.

Teaching Tip
2. Families often eat at these restaurants.
Students may enjoy this
exercise more if they work
in pairs — and if they are
encouraged to generate 3. Many teenagers work there.
sentences that are humor-
ous (and not necessarily
factually accurate).
4. McDonald’s is known for its hamburgers.

5. KFC is famous for its fried chicken.

6. Taco Bell serves Mexican-style food.

7. Pizza Hut specializes in pizza.

 Culture Clue
Fast food is inexpensive
food that can be prepared
and served quickly, such 8. Many fast-food restaurants offer some low-fat menu items.
as hamburgers, french
fries, milkshakes, etc.

9. Some offer recyclable packaging.

10. Some even have playgrounds.

 WRITING FIRST: Flashback

Look back at your response to the Writing First activity on
page 256. Do you see any pairs of simple sentences that you
could connect with semicolons? If so, rewrite them on the
lines below, linking each pair with a semicolon.
 16 C 263
Writing
C Using Transitional Words and Phrases Compound Sentences

Another way to create a compound sentence is by combining two simple Teaching Tip
sentences (independent clauses) with a transitional word or phrase. Remind students to place a
When you use a transitional word or phrase to join two sentences, a semi- semicolon before every tran-
sitional word or phrase that
colon always comes before the transitional word or phrase, and a comma
joins two independent
always comes after it. clauses. (If they leave out the
semicolon, they will create a
Some college students receive grants; however, others must take run-on.) Refer them to 21B.
out loans.
He had a miserable time at the party; in addition, he lost his wallet.

Frequently Used Transitional Words

Teaching Tip
also instead still Have students memorize
besides later subsequently these lists.
consequently meanwhile then
eventually moreover therefore
finally nevertheless thus
furthermore now
however otherwise

Frequently Used Transitional Phrases

after all in comparison
as a result in contrast
at the same time in fact
for example in other words
for instance of course
in addition on the contrary

Adding a transitional word or phrase makes the connection between

ideas in a sentence clearer and more precise than it would be if the ideas
were linked with just a semicolon. Different transitional words and
phrases convey different meanings.

■ Some signal addition (also, besides, furthermore, in addition, moreover,

and so on).

I have a lot on my mind; also, I have a lot of things to do.

■ Some make causal connections (therefore, as a result, consequently,

thus, and so on).

I have a lot on my mind; therefore, it is hard to concentrate.

264 16 C
WRITING ■ Some indicate contradiction or contrast (nevertheless, however, in con-
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
trast, still, and so on).

I have a lot on my mind; still, I must try to relax.

■ Some present alternatives (instead, on the contrary, otherwise, and so on).

I have a lot on my mind; otherwise, I could relax.

I will try not to think; instead, I will relax.

■ Some indicate time sequence (eventually, finally, at the same time, later,
meanwhile, now, subsequently, then, and so on).

I have a lot on my mind; meanwhile, I still have work to do.

◆ PRACTICE 16-6
Add semicolons and commas where required to set off transitional words
and phrases that join two independent clauses.
;
ON THE WEB Example: Ketchup is a popular condiment therefore ’ it is available
^ ^
Visit Exercise Central at in almost every restaurant.
bedfordstmartins.com/writingfirst
for more practice.
(1) Andrew F. Smith, a food historian, wrote a book about the tomato
 Word Power
later he wrote a book about ketchup. (2) This book, Pure Ketchup, was
condiment a prepared
sauce or pickle used to add
flavor to food
a big project in fact Smith worked on it for five years. (3) The word

ketchup may have come from a Chinese word however Smith is not

certain of the word’s origins. (4) Ketchup has existed since ancient times

in other words it is a very old product. (5) Ketchup has changed a lot

over the years for example special dyes were developed in the nineteenth

century to make it red. (6) Smith discusses many other changes for

instance preservative-free ketchup was invented in 1907. (7) Ketchup

is now used by people in many cultures still salsa is more popular than

ketchup in the United States. (8) Today, designer ketchups are being

developed meanwhile Heinz has introduced green and purple ketchup

in squeeze bottles. (9) Some of today’s ketchups are chunky in addition

some ketchups are spicy. (10) Ketchup continues to change however

Smith is now working on a book about the history of popcorn.

◆ PRACTICE 16-7
Consulting the lists of transitional words and phrases on page 263,
choose a word or phrase that logically connects each pair of independent
 16 C 265
clauses below into one compound sentence. Be sure to punctuate appro- Writing
priately. Compound Sentences

Example: Every year since 1927, Time magazine has chosen a Man
; however, the
of the Year. The Man of the Year has not always been a man.
^
Answers may vary.
(1) The Man of the Year must have greatly influenced the previous year’s
; consequently, the
events. The choice is often a prominent politician. (2) In the 1920s and
^ ; for example,
1930s, world leaders were often chosen. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was
^
chosen twice. (3) During World War II, Hitler, Stalin, Churchill, and
; in fact,
Roosevelt were all chosen. Stalin was featured twice. (4) Occasionally, the
^ ; for instance, in
Man of the Year was not an individual. In 1950, it was The American
^ ; for example,
Fighting Man. (5) Only a few women have been selected. Queen
^
Elizabeth II of England was featured in 1952. (6) Very few people of
; still
color have been named Man of the Year. Martin Luther King Jr. was
^ ; in fact, the
honored in 1963. (7) The Man of the Year is not always a person. The
^
Computer was selected in 1982 and Endangered Earth in 1988. (8) In 2006,
; instead, its
Time did not choose a specific person. Its person of the year was “You.”
^

◆ PRACTICE 16-8
Add the suggested transitional word or phrase to each of the simple sen-
tences below. Then, create a compound sentence by adding a new indepen-
dent clause to follow it. Be sure to punctuate correctly.

Example: Commuting students do not really experience campus

life. (however)
Commuting students do not really experience campus life; however, there are

some benefits to being a commuter.

Answers will vary.

1. Campus residents may have a better college experience. (still)
Campus residents may have a better college experience; still, being a commuter

has its advantages.

2. Living at home means students can have home-cooked meals. (in

contrast)
Living at home means students can have home-cooked meals; in contrast,

dorm residents eat dining hall food or takeout.

266 16 C
WRITING 3. Commuters have a wide choice of jobs in the community. (on the other
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
hand)
Commuters have a wide choice of jobs in the community; on the other hand,

students living on campus may have to take on-campus jobs.

4. Commuters get to live with their families. (however)

Commuters get to live with their families; however, dorm students may live far

from home.

5. There are also some disadvantages to being a commuter. (for example)

There are also some disadvantages to being a commuter; for example,

commuters may have trouble joining study groups.

6. Unlike dorm students, most commuters have family responsibilities.

(in fact)
Unlike dorm students, most commuters have family responsibilities; in fact,

they may have children of their own.

7. Commuters might have to help take care of their parents or grand-

parents. (in addition)
Commuters might have to help take care of their parents or grandparents;

in addition, they might have to babysit for younger siblings.

8. Commuters might need a car to get to school. (consequently)

Commuters might need a car to get to school; consequently, they might

have higher expenses than dorm students.

9. Younger commuters may be under the watchful eyes of their parents.

(of course)
Younger commuters may be under the watchful eyes of their parents; of course,

parents are likely to be stricter than dorm counselors.

10. Commuting to college has pros and cons. (therefore)

Commuting to college has pros and cons; therefore, commuters are not

necessarily at a disadvantage.

◆ PRACTICE 16-9
Using the specified topics and transitional words and phrases, create five
compound sentences. Be sure to punctuate appropriately.
 16 C 267
Example Writing
Topic: fad diets Compound Sentences

Transitional phrase: for example

People are always falling for fad diets; for example, some people eat only
Teaching Tip
pineapple to lose weight. Have students work in pairs
in this exercise and then
write their sentences on
1. Topic: laws to protect people with disabilities the board. Get at least two
versions of each sentence.
Transitional phrase: in addition
Answers will vary.

2. Topic: single men and women as adoptive parents

Transitional word: however

3. Topic: prayer in public schools

Transitional word: therefore

4. Topic: high school proms

Transitional word: also

5. Topic: course requirements at your school

Transitional word: instead

 WRITING FIRST: Flashback

Look back at your response to the Writing First activity on
page 256. Have you used any transitional words or phrases to
link independent clauses? If so, check to make sure that you
have punctuated them correctly. Then, check to see that you
have used the word or phrase that best shows the relationship
between the ideas in the two independent clauses. Revise your
work if necessary.
268 16 C
WRITING
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
Teaching Tip
For a short writing assign-
ment, ask students to write
a similar passage about the
life of one of their parents.
 Culture Clue
Ukraine is a country in
Eastern Europe that
borders Russia.
Map of Ukraine
 WRITING FIRST: Revising and Editing
Look back at your response to the Writing First activity on
page 256. Now, try to add one of the new compound sentences
you created in the Flashback activities on pages 261 and 262.
Then, check each compound sentence to make sure you have
used the coordinating conjunction or transitional word or
phrase that best conveys your meaning and that you have
punctuated these sentences correctly. When you have finished,
look over a piece of writing you have done in response to
another assignment, and try combining some pairs of simple
sentences into compound sentences.
CHAPTER REVIEW
◆ EDITING PRACTICE
Read the following student essay. Then, create compound sentences by link-
ing pairs of simple sentences where appropriate, joining them with a coordi-
nating conjunction, a semicolon, or a transitional word or phrase. Remember
to put commas before coordinating conjunctions and to use semicolons and
commas correctly with transitional words and phrases. The first two sen-
tences have been combined for you.
Answers may vary.
My Grandfather’s Life
, but they
My great-grandparents were born in Ukraine. They raised my grandfather in
^
western Pennsylvania. The ninth of their ten children, he had a life I cannot begin
to imagine. To me, he was my big, strong, powerful grandfather. He was also a
child of poverty.
My great-grandfather worked for the American Car Foundry. The family lived in
a company house. They shopped at the company store. In 1934, my great-grand-
father was laid off. He went to work digging sewer lines for the government. At
that time, the family was on welfare. Every week, they were entitled to get food
rations. My grandfather would go to pick up the food. The family desperately
needed the prunes, beans, flour, margarine, and other things.
 16 C 269
For years, my grandfather wore his brothers’ hand-me-down clothes. He wore Writing
Compound Sentences
thrift-shop shoes with cardboard over the holes in the soles. He was often

hungry. He would sometimes sit by the side of the railroad tracks, waiting for the

engineer to throw him an orange. My grandfather would do any job to earn a

quarter. Once, he weeded a mile-long row of tomato plants. For this work, he was
 Culture Clue
paid twenty-five cents and a pack of NECCO wafers. NECCO (New England
Confectionery Company)
My grandfather saved his pennies. Eventually, he was able to buy a used dates back to 1847 and
is the oldest candy
manufacturer in the
bicycle for two dollars. He dropped out of school at fourteen and got a job. The
United States.
family badly needed his income. He woke up every day at 4 a.m.. He rode his bike

to his job at a meatpacking plant. He worked for fifty cents a day.

In 1943, at the age of seventeen, my grandfather joined the U.S. Navy. He

discovered a new world. For the first time in his life, he had enough to eat. He was

always first in line at the mess hall. He went back for seconds and thirds before

anyone else. After the war ended in 1945, he was discharged from the Navy. He

went to work in a meat market in New York City. The only trade he knew was the

meat business. Three years later, when he had saved enough to open his own
World War II sailor
store, Pete’s Quality Meats, he knew his life of poverty was finally over.

◆ COLLABORATIVE ACTIVITIES
1. Working in a small group, pair each of the simple sentences in the left-
hand column below with a sentence in the right-hand column to cre-
ate ten compound sentences. Use as many different coordinating
conjunctions as you can to connect the independent clauses. Be sure
each coordinating conjunction you choose conveys a logical relation-
ship between ideas, and remember to put a comma before each one.
You may use some of the listed sentences more than once. Note: Many
different combinations — some serious and factually accurate, some
humorous — are possible.
Some dogs wear little sweaters. Many are named Hamlet.
Pit bulls are raised to fight. They live in groups.
Bonobos are pygmy chim- One even sings Christmas carols.
panzees. They can wear bandanas.
Many people fear Dobermans. They can play Frisbee.
Leopards have spots. Many live in equatorial Zaire.
Dalmations can live in fire- Some people think they are
houses. gentle.
Horses can wear blankets. They don’t get cold in winter.
All mules are sterile. They are half horse and half
Great Danes are huge dogs. donkey.
Parrots can often speak. They can be unpredictable.
270 16 C
WRITING 2. Work in a group of three or four students to create a cast of five char-
EFFECTIVE SENTENCES
acters for a movie, a television pilot, or a music video. Working indi-
vidually, write five descriptive simple sentences — one about each
character. Then, exchange papers with another student. Add a semi-
colon and a transitional word or phrase to each sentence on the list to
create five new compound sentences.
Example
ORIGINAL Mark is a handsome heartthrob.
SENTENCE

NEW SENTENCE Mark is a handsome heartthrob; unfortunately, he

has green dreadlocks.

✓ REVIEW CHECKLIST:
■
Writing Compound Sentences
■ A compound sentence is made up of two simple sentences
(independent clauses).
■ A coordinating conjunction — and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet—
can join two independent clauses into one compound sen-
tence. A comma always comes before the coordinating
conjunction. (See 16A.)
■ A semicolon can join two independent clauses into one
compound sentence. (See 16B.)
■ A transitional word or phrase can also join two independent
clauses into one compound sentence. When it joins two inde-
pendent clauses, a transitional word or phrase is always pre-
ceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. (See 16C.)