2.7: Grammar: Compound Sentences

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This lesson is available as slides for classroom presentation.

Subjects and Verbs

Read these sentences about the history of San Diego. Identify the subject and verb of each sentence. How many subjects and verbs does each sentence have?

Spanish explorers sailed to San Diego in 1542, but the first residents were Kumeyaay people
In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain, and San Diego became part of Mexico
In 1848, the United States won the Mexican-American War, so San Diego became part of the U.S.

Answers

The subjects were "Spanish explorers" and "the first residents," the verbs were "sailed" and "were"
The subjects were "Mexico" and "San Diego," the verbs were "won" and "became"
The subjects were "the United States" and "San Diego," the verbs were "won" and "became"

Notice the punctuation. Where is the comma?

Clauses and Coordinating Conjunctions

A group of words that has a subject and verb is called a clause

Two or more simple sentences (clauses) may be connected to make one sentence using a comma and a coordinating conjunction

Coordinating conjunctions are also called FANBOYS. The FANBOYS are...

Compound Sentences

When two or more clauses are connected with a FANBOYS, the sentence is called a compound sentence

A compound sentence must have two independent clauses (SV + SV) connected by a FANBOYS

Look at the sentences below. Identify the subjects and verbs. These are not compound sentences...

The San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park began in 1915
Every weekend we go to the beach and enjoy the water

Answers

The subjects were "San Diego Zoo" and "Balboa Park," the verb was "began," (compound subject)
The subject was "we," the verbs were "go" and "enjoy," (compound verb)

Watch this video for another explanation of compound sentences.