Grammar 1.4.

1a

Compound Sentences with Conjunctions

A simple sentence has a subject, or naming part, and a
predicate, or action part.
A compound sentence is made up of two shorter sentences joined
by and, but, or or.

Simple Sentences
I like school. I do not like homework.
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Compound Sentence
I like school, but I do not like homework.

Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.1b

Compound Sentences with Conjunctions

Decide which sentences are compound sentences.

My friends and I went to the park, and we played soccer.

1
2 Gracin and Emily played on the swings and jungle gym at
the new playground.
3 Frank and Monte wanted to feed the ducks, but they did
not have any bread.
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4 We can ride our bikes, or we can toss stones into the stream.
 It was late in the day, and everyone was tired.

Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.2a

Forming Compound Sentences

In a compound sentence, the words and, but, and or are used
to join two simple sentences. A comma is placed before the
joining word.

comma joining word

Lively music can make people feel happy, but listening to sad
music can make them feel gloomy.
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Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.2b

Forming Compound Sentences

Identify the joining word in each sentence. Tell where the comma
should go.

You can hum a tune or you can play an instrument.

1
2 I like to play music and I like to dance to music.
3 Tanya cannot hear but Tanya can feel the beat.
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Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.3a

Combining Sentences
Too many short sentences make writing sound choppy.

Choppy Sentences
Sam wants a new kite. He saved some money. Now he can
pay for it.
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Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.3b

Combining Sentences
Combining sentences into a compound sentence makes writing
sound less choppy.

Using a Compound Sentence

comma joining word
Sam wants a new kite. He saved some money, and now he
can pay for it.
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Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.3c

Combining Sentences
Use the joining word shown to combine each pair of sentences
into a compound sentence.

and
1
My dad picked me up. We went to the store.
2 or
We can cook pasta for dinner. We can make a pizza.
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3 but
I like to cook. I do not like to wash dishes.

Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.4a

Review Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is made up of two shorter sentences. The
shorter sentences are connected by words such as and, but, and or.
A comma is used before the connecting word.

Compound Sentence with

Shorter Sentences Conjunction
She loves dogs. She loves dogs, but she does
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She does not like bathing them. not like bathing them.
Ducks live by the pond. Ducks live by the pond, or they
Some ducks live by the barn. live by the barn.

Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.4b

Review Compound Sentences

Combine each pair of sentences into a compound sentence.

Does Gloria like singing? Does she like to dance?

1
2 I like to draw. I like to paint.
3 Some people like cooking. I just like to eat!
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Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences

 Grammar 1.4.5

Connect to Writing: Using Compound Sentences

Compound sentences can make your writing less choppy and
more interesting. Try joining shorter sentences into compound
sentences when you write. This will make your writing smoother.

Short, Choppy Sentences Compound Sentences

I spent a week on Ben’s farm. I spent a week on Ben’s farm,
I had a good time. I fed and I had a good time. I fed
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chickens. I collected their chickens, and I collected their

eggs. I could have ridden on a eggs. I could have ridden on a
tractor. I rode a horse instead. tractor, but I rode a horse
instead.
Grade 2 | Grammar Minilessons Sentences • Compound Sentences