Sometimes we join two simple sentences together. We call that a compound sentence.
A compound sentence is two complete thoughts joined together.
Use a coordinating conjunction to join two simple sentences together.
The coordinating conjunctions are called FANBOYS because each begins with one of the letters.
- F – fan
- A – and
- N – nor
- B – but
- O – or
- Y – yet
- S – so
Here are two simple sentences. They are separate ideas. Each has a subject and a verb.
I love ice cream.
Dad likes cookies.
We can join them into a compound sentence by adding a comma and one of the FANBOYS.
I love ice cream, but Dad likes cookies.
Each time you use one of the FANBOYS to join two sentences, you must also use a comma. As you join two simple sentences, tell yourself “comma, FANBOYS.”
These are compound sentences. Can you spot the two simple sentences in each? Notice the comma, FANBOYS between the two simple sentences.
- He is a good student, yet he still makes mistakes.
- I have a yellow cat, and my grandma has a spotted dog.
- We must go inside, for a storm is coming.
- Tom might go to the movies, or he might go bowling.
- It is raining, so I brought an umbrella.
A compound sentence is two complete thoughts joined by a comma and one of the FANBOYS.