Lesson 3

In this lesson you will learn how to combine choppy sentences by using these two methods: Making a compound sentence (combining related sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction) Making a complex sentence (combining related sentences by adding a subordinating conjunction to make one sentence a dependent clause)

Four Types of Sentences Simple Compound Complex Compound-Complex

Simple Sentences
A simple

sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.

The FANBOYS

for shows logical consequence; it has the same meaning as because, the reason why and shows addition; it has the same meaning as in addition, along with nor shows addition of a negative point but shows contrast; it has the same meaning as however, except, on the other hand or shows choice yet shows contrast so shows logical consequence; it has the same meaning as as a result, therefore

Compound Sentence
A compound

sentence is made up of two simple sentences called independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) and a comma or by a semicolon alone.

Two Simple Sentences

Timothy was busy. We did not talk much.

One Compound Sentence

Timothy was busy, and we did not talk much. (2 events taking place)

OR
Timothy was busy, so we did not talk much. (cause/effect relationship)

More Compound Sentences

Two Simple Sentences

I had to remind Timothy that I couldnt see. He took my hand and ran them over the fronds.

One Compound Sentence

I had to remind Timothy that I couldnt see, so he took my hand and ran them over the fronds.

More Compound Sentences

Two Simple Sentences

I could easily stand up in the hut. Timothy couldnt.

One Compound Sentence

I could easily stand up in the hut, but Timothy couldnt.

Complex Sentence

A complex sentence combines a dependent clause with an independent clause. A complex sentence always has a subordinating conjunction such as because, since, after, although, or when.

Special Note

When the dependent clause is placed before the independent clause, the two clauses are divided by a comma; otherwise, no punctuation is necessary.

Complex Sentence

Two Simple Sentences

It is safe. I will take you to the reef tomorrow. Note: Use the subordinating conjunction if.

Turned into One Complex Sentence

comma If it is safe, I will take you to the reef tomorrow. OR no comma I will take you to the reef tomorrow if it is safe.

Complex Sentence

Two Simple Sentences

I refused to speak to him. He had left me for such a long time. Note: Use a subordinating conjunction such as since or because.

Turned into One Complex Sentence

I refused to speak to him since he had left me for such a long time. I refused to speak to him because he had left me for such a long time. Since he had left me for such a long time, I refused to speak to him. Because he had left me for such a long time, I refused to speak to him.

Compound Complex Sentences

A compound-complex sentence is

comprised of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Example: While Timothy went fishing, I stayed at the hut, and Stew Cat stayed with me. Or I stayed at the hut, and Stew Cat stayed with me while Timothy went fishing.

Conjunctions

Brain Pop - Movie on conjunctions http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/conj unctions/

 Review

A phrase is the same as a sentence

fragment, and words must be added to make a complete sentence called an independent clause.
A clause contains a subordinating

conjunction and needs to be connected to an independent clause.

Oral Practice

Make a compound sentence from the two simple sentences.

I didnt want to be left alone. I was afraid something might happen to him.

I didnt want to be left alone, and I was afraid something might happen to him.

Make a compound sentence from the two simple sentences.

He did not really like me. He would have taken me along.

He did not really like me, or he would have taken me along.

Make a compound sentence from the two simple sentences.

I cried when I was alone. I was afraid.

I cried when I was alone, for I was afraid.

Make a compound sentence from the two simple sentences.

Stew Cat kept me company. He sat in my lap and purred.

Stew Cat kept me company, and he sat in my lap and purred.

Make a complex sentence from the two simple sentences.

There was a silence. Timothy broke it with anguish.

There was a silence until Timothy broke it with anguish. Until Timothy broke it with anguish, there was silence.

Make a complex sentence from the two simple sentences.

I had finished. Timothy told me he approved.

When I finished, Timothy told me he approved. Timothy told me he approved when I finished.

Make a complex sentence from the two simple sentences.

We tore out a pile of vines. Timothy began weaving a rope.

After we tore out a pile of vines, Timothy began weaving a rope. Timothy began weaving a rope after we tore out a pile of vines.

Make a compound-complex sentence from the three simple sentences.

I heard a plane. I could take a light from the campfire. I could follow the rope to start the big fire.

If I heard a plane, I could take a light from the campfire, and I could follow the rope to start the big fire.

Written Practice

Instructions

You will be given four sets of simple sentences to combine. You may combine them into compound or complex sentences; however, you must try using both methods. You must have at least one compound and one complex sentence.

1. Turn these two simple sentences into a compound or complex sentence.

I began yelling for Timothy to come back. I guess he couldnt hear me.

2. Turn these two simple sentences into a compound or complex sentence.

There were scorpions on most Caribbean islands. They were deadly.

3. Turn these two simple sentences into a compound or complex sentence.

He placed one rock in my hands at a time. I carefully lettered H-E-L-P in the sand.

4. Turn these two simple sentences into a compound or complex sentence.

I felt superior to Timothy after spelling H-E-L-P. I let him play his little game.

Multiple Choice

The next three questions are multiple choice. Look at each answer very carefully. Some sentences are not correct because the comma is missing.

5. What is the best way to revise the following sentence? We were asleep on the palm mats that Id made. The storm awakened us immediately. Because we were asleep on the palm mats that Id made the storm awakened us immediately. b) We were asleep on the palm mats that Id made unless the storm awakened us immediately. c) We were asleep on the palm mats that Id made, or the storm awakened us immediately. d) We were asleep on the palm mats that Id made, but the storm awakened us immediately.
a)

6. What is the best way to combine the following sentence? I liked the rain. It was something I could hear and feel. a) I liked the rain because it was something I could hear and feel. b) Because it was something I could hear and feel I liked the rain. c) I liked the rain, and it was something I could hear and feel. d) I liked the rain for it was something I could hear and feel.

7. What is the best way to combine the following sentence? It had been on my mind. I told him that my mother didnt like black people and asked him why. a) However it had been on my mind, I told him that my mother didnt like black people and asked him why. b) It had been on my mind, yet I told him that my mother didnt like black people and asked him why. c) Because it had been on my mind, I told him that my mother didnt like black people and asked him why d) It had been on my mind so I told him that my mother didnt like black people and asked him why.

Answer Key
1-4 Answers will vary. 5. D 6. A 7. C