English Language Arts
Grade 5
15 min
Create compound sentences
Create compound sentences
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define a simple sentence and a compound sentence.
Identify the seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).
Select an appropriate coordinating conjunction to connect two related ideas.
Correctly use a comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
Combine two simple sentences to create a grammatically correct compound sentence.
Revise a short paragraph by combining simple sentences into compound sentences to improve writing flow.
Do your sentences ever sound like this? I like dogs. I like cats. I like birds. 🤖 Let's learn how to connect your ideas so your writing sounds more powerful and less like a robot!
In this lesson, you will learn how to join two complete thoughts, called simple sentences, to create a longer, more interesting...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Simple SentenceA complete thought that has one subject and one verb. It can stand all by itself. It's also called an independent clause.The rocket launched into space.
Compound SentenceA sentence made up of two simple sentences joined together by a comma and a special connecting word.The rocket launched into space, and the crowd cheered loudly.
SubjectThe person, place, thing, or idea that the sentence is about. It's who or what is doing the action.In the sentence 'The brave astronaut waved,' the subject is 'the brave astronaut'.
Verb (Predicate)The action word or state of being in a sentence. It tells you what the subject is doing.In the sentence 'The brave astronaut waved,' the verb is 'waved'.
Coordinating Conjunct...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Compound Sentence Formula
Simple Sentence + , + Coordinating Conjunction + Simple Sentence
Use this formula every time you want to join two complete thoughts. The comma and the conjunction work together as a team to connect the ideas properly.
FANBOYS Job Descriptions
For (because), And (adds information), Nor (joins two negatives), But (shows contrast), Or (shows a choice), Yet (shows contrast), So (shows a result)
Choose the FANBOYS word that shows the correct relationship between your two simple sentences. 'And' is common, but using others like 'but' or 'so' makes your writing more precise.
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Challenging
Read this short paragraph: 'The alarm clock rang. I was very tired. I hit the snooze button.' Which revision best uses a compound sentence to improve the paragraph's flow?
A.The alarm clock rang, but I hit the snooze button.
B.The alarm clock rang, and I was very tired, so I hit the snooze button.
C.The alarm clock rang. I was very tired, or I hit the snooze button.
D.The alarm clock rang, but I was very tired, so I hit the snooze button.
Challenging
A student wrote: 'We wanted to go to the beach, it started to rain.' Which of the following is the most complete and correct revision of this sentence?
A.We wanted to go to the beach and it started to rain.
B.We wanted to go to the beach, but it started to rain.
C.We wanted to go to the beach, so it started to rain.
D.We wanted to go to the beach, it started to rain so we couldn't go.
Challenging
Consider these two simple sentences: 'The test was difficult. I think I did well.' Which compound sentence best expresses the relationship between these two ideas?
A.The test was difficult, so I think I did well.
B.The test was difficult, and I think I did well.
C.The test was difficult, yet I think I did well.
D.The test was difficult, for I think I did well.
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