Compound Sentences

Conjunctions and Semicolons

Compound Sentences

• A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses.

• These clauses are joined with commas and conjunctions or with a semicolon.

Independent Clause

An independent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb, so it can stand alone as a sentence.

1. My cat likes birds.

2. She can spike the volleyball.

3. The teacher was great at teaching her students about semicolons.

Conjunctions

• There are seven conjunctions: are, but, or, nor, yet, for, so.

• When using conjunctions, you must use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

We all get older, but not everyone gets wiser.

Semicolons

;

What is a semicolon?

• A semicolon separates parts in a sentence. It is stronger than a comma but not as strong as a period.

;

Can you see how it is part comma and part period?

When do I use one?

• You use a semicolon to separate 2 independent clauses, just like you would a period.

• However, you do NOT capitalize the word that comes after a semicolon unless it’s a proper noun or the pronoun “I” (just like a comma)

The mistake was simple; the result was disastrous.

Be careful!

• Be careful to not use semicolons inappropriately.

After the movies; we went to the mall.

Why is this incorrect?

Let’s practice!

1. Yellow jackets are a kind of wasp their smooth, brown bodies are marked with yellow stripes.

Correction: Yellow jackets are a kind of wasp; their smooth brown bodies are marked with yellow stripes.

Let’s Practice

2. The pickup truck roared down the dirt road huge clouds of dust trailed behind it.

Correction: The pickup truck roared down the dirt road; huge clouds of dust trailed behind it.

Let’s Practice

3. The Venus flytrap is an unusual plant it eats insects.

Correction: The Venus flytrap is an unusual plant; it eats insects.

Let’s Practice

4. The book was a bestseller it sold out in a week.

Correction: The book was a bestseller; it sold out in a week.

Let’s Practice

5. Hugo was shot from a cannon he sailed across the circus tent.

Correction: Hugo was shot from a cannon; he sailed across the circus tent.