Expanding and Combining Sentences

Combining Sentences

combining like subjects, predicates, and sentences

A sentence may have more than one simple subject or one simple predicate.

• A compound subject has two or more simple subjects that have the same predicate. They are often joined by and, or, or nor.

• Lemons and limes are grown in the South.

A compound predicate has two or more simple predicates, or verbs, that have the same subject. They are connected by and, but, or, or nor.

• Kendra writes or calls her grandmother once a week.

Some sentences have both a compound subject and a compound predicate.

• Mike and Kyle enjoyed the soup and asked for another bowl.

Multiple Choice

My best friend went to the movie theater.

I went to the movie theater.

• My friend and I went to the movie theater.

• My friend went to the movie theater and I went to the movie theater.

Multiple Choice

Gary caught the ball.

I caught the ball.

• Gary and I caught the ball.

• Gary caught the ball and I caught the ball.

Multiple Choice

Bobby played hide-and-seek.

Cindy played hide-and-seek.

• Bobby and Cindy played hide-and-seek.

• Bobby played hide-and-seek and Cindy played hide-and-seek.

Multiple Choice

Fish swam in the pond.

Tadpoles swam in the pond.

• Fish and tadpoles swam in the pond.

• Fish swam in the pond and tadpoles swam in the pond.

You can also combine independent clauses (sentences) with a conjunction.

• We remember the coordination conjunctions with the acronym FANBOYS

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "f" stands for:

• for
• from
• false
• FANBOYS

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "a" stands for:

• as
• and
• also
• additionally

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "n" stands for:

• no
• not
• nor
• neither

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "b" stands for:

• but
• both
• best
• bend

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "o" stands for:

• of
• on
• or
• other

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "y" stands for:

• yes
• you
• yet
• yell

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS  "s" stands for:

• so
• some
• says
• sometimes "y"

When you are combining independent clauses, follow these steps:

• 1. identify the independent clauses

• 2. use a comma and a conjunction ( ,FANBOY)

• ex: Kara went to practice, but she didn't want to go.

Multiple Choice

Does this sentence need a comma?
I wanted to go to the store but I decided to stay home instead.

• Yes 
• No

Multiple Choice

In a compound sentence, the comma comes ______________ the coordinating conjunction.

• after
• before
• there is no comma

Multiple Choice

You can make your appointment now, ______ we can call you next week to schedule it.

• and

• or

• but

• so

Multiple Choice

Simon wants to buy a new cell phone, ________ he doesn't have enough money.

• and

• or

• but

• so

Multiple Choice

It rained all day, _______ we didn't go outside.

• and

• or

• but

• so