COMPOUND SENTENCE

Characteristics :

•  Contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FANBOYS).


• ž  A comma comes before the conjunction in a compound sentence.


• ž  The coordinating conjunction shows the relationship between the two halves (independent clause) of the sentence.

	Conjunction	Purpose
F	for	Shows a reason (the second clause gives a reason for the first)
A	and	Shows addition
N	nor	Shows a negative alternative (It’s the negative form of or, and it must follow a clause containing a negative word such as not. When we use nor we must use question word order after it.
B	but	Shows contrast
O	or	Shows an alternative or choice
Y	yet	Shows an unexpected contrast (It’s similar in meaning to although)
S	so	Shows a result (The first clause results the second)

When these words are used to connect independent clauses, they are preceded by a comma.

Examples :

• žHe was sad, for he had lost his favorite pen.


• žThe pen was expensive, and it was comfortable to use.


• žHe could not find the pen in his bag, nor could he find it at home.


• žSomeone offered to lend him a pen, but he did not want it.


• žPerhaps he did not like that pen, or the ink was the wrong color.


• žAlthough I had studied hard last semester, yet I got bad mark .


• žHe wanted a new pen, so he bought it.

Compound Sentences with Conjunctive adverbs

COORDINATORS	CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS	SENTENCE
and	Besides Furthermore Moreover	Community colleges offer preparation for many occupations; moreover, they prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
but yet	However Nevertheless Nonetheless	Many community colleges do not have dormitories; however, they provide housing referral services.
or	Otherwise	Students must take final exams; otherwise, they will receive a grade of incomplete.
so	Accordingly Consequently Hence Therefore thus	Native and nonnative English speakers have different needs; therefore, most schools provide separate English classes for each group.

Pattern :

Independent clause; independent clause

My older brother studies law; my younger brother studies medicine. Poland was the first Eastern European country to turn away from communism; others soon followed.

Note: It is possible only when the two independent clauses are closely related in meaning.