Compound Sentences and Conjunctions - 5th Grade Grammar
Compound Sentences and Conjunctions
A simple sentence expresses one complete thought.
The family went out to celebrate. (simple sentence)
My mother exercises every day. (simple sentence)
A compound sentence contains two simple sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction.
The streets were empty, and the sun was setting. (compound sentence)
My mother runs every day, but my father rides his bike. (compound sentence)
A conjunction joins words or groups of words. The coordinating conjunctions and, but, and or can be used to connect the complete thoughts in a compound sentence. The correlative conjunctions either/or and neither/nor can also be used in a compound sentence.
My mother exercises every day. (simple sentence)
My mother runs every day, but my father rides his bike. (compound sentence)
Either we stay here, or we head home. (compound sentence)
Run-on Sentences
A run-on sentence joins together two or more sentences without the proper conjunctions and punctuation.
I went to the store it was closed. (incorrect)
The bell rang it startled me, I jumped out of my seat. (incorrect)
You can correct a run-on sentence by rewriting it as a compound sentence.
I went to the store, but it was closed.
A comma splice joins together two sentences with only a comma:
We ran a race, I won first place.
To avoid this error, make sure the compound sentence has a conjunction:
We ran a race, and I won first place.
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How to Correct Run-on Sentences?
You can correct run-on sentences using one or more strategies to connect related clauses.
| Break the independent clauses into separate sentences. | The bell rang. It startled me. I jumped out of my seat. |
| Create a compound subject or compound predicate. | The bell rang and startled me. I jumped out of my seat. |
| Create a compound sentence using coordinating conjunctions. | The bell rang. It startled me, and I jumped out of my seat. |
| Create a complex sentence using subordinating conjunctions. | When the bell rang and startled me, I jumped out of my seat. |
How to Punctuate Compound Sentences?
When you correct a run-on sentence, use a comma before and, but, or or if the subject in each independent clause is different.
There is a concert this weekend, and we want to go.
To coordinate two closely related sentences without using a conjunction, use a semicolon (;).
It’s our favorite band; we have to see them!