View lesson on Daily Grammar -
Print Lesson
A
clause is a group of words having a
subject and a
verb. An
independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. A
dependent clause is always used as some part of speech. It can be an
adjective,
adverb, or
noun. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.
A phrase is a group of words used as a sentence part. It does not have a subject and a verb. It can be a noun, adjective, or adverb. We have studied the
following phrases: prepositional, gerund, participial, and infinitive.
A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.) A
semicolon can take the place of the conjunction and comma. Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.
Example:
She talks and he listens.
The conjunction should express the proper relationship between the clauses. And joins ideas of equal importance. Or joins clauses that express alternatives. Nor joins negative ideas together. But joins clauses that express contrasting ideas.
Do not confuse a compound sentence with a simple sentence having compound parts. Both sides of the conjunction will have a subject and a verb in a compound sentence.
Example:
Mother baked a cake and I frosted it.
Instructions: Tell whether the following sentences are compound sentences or not. If they
are not, tell which compound part they are.
1. The girl just sat there but said nothing.
2. I looked for the book, but I could not find it.
3. Jeff must have arrived safely, or we would have been notified.
4. One of my friends and his dad have flown to Brazil.
5. Everyone was playing or swimming in the pool.
6. Suddenly the rain poured down, and the party was ruined.
7. We will vacation in the Black Hills or at Waterton.
8. I haven't heard from Becky, nor do I expect a call soon.
9. I climbed the tree and looked in the bird's nest.
10. She planned to read the letter, but it could not be found.
--For answers scroll
down.
Answers:
1. The girl just sat there but said nothing.
- compound verb
2. I looked for the book, but I could not find it.
- compound sentence
3. Jeff must have arrived safely, or we would have been notified.
- compound sentence
4. One of my friends and his dad have flown to Brazil.
- compound subject
5. Everyone was playing or swimming in the pool.
- compound verb
6. Suddenly the rain poured down, and the party was ruined.
- compound sentence
7. We will vacation in the Black Hills or at Waterton.
- compound object of the preposition
8. I haven't heard from Becky, nor do I expect a call soon.
- compound sentence
9. I climbed the tree and looked in the bird's nest.
- compound verb
10. She planned to read the letter, but it could not be found.
- compound sentence
For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson
archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an
eBook and a
workbook format.
Posts
