174 English Grammar Demystifi ed
Compound Sentences
Move on now to compound sentences, and you need to add punctuation. A com-
pound sentence is composed of two independent clauses brought together by a
comma and conjunction or just a semicolon.
USING COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
As you will learn, there are two ways to connect these complete thoughts, but a
comma alone is not one of them. Do you remember studying these coordinating
conjunctions in Chapter 2?
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, soYou can easily remember these coordinating conjunctions by using the acronym
FANBOYS. The letters are the fi rst letter of each conjunction.
FA N BOYS
Conjunction Defi nition and Example Sentence
for means “because” and shows logical consequences
Example: No tulips grew that spring, for I had forgotten to plant them
the previous fall.
and means “along with, in addition”
Example: I took an antibiotic, and I went to bed for the entire day.
nor indicates a negative point
Example: There was no heat in the house, nor was there any
electric power.
but means “except, however, on the other hand” and shows contrast
Example: Many people have studied Stonehenge, but no one knows for
sure why it was built.
or indicates a choice
Example: Should the electoral college decide a presidential election,
or should it be decided by the popular vote?
yet shows contrast
Example: I thought that Dana was talented enough to make the team,
yet the coach judged his performance inadequate.
so means “therefore” or “as a result” and indicates logical consequences
Example: I bought all the holiday gifts, so why don’t you plan on
wrapping them?