Sentence Structure

Compound sentences and coordinating conjunctions

Introduction

Moving beyond simple sentences, you'll learn to join independent clauses into compound sentences. This creates more flowing, sophisticated prose.

The FANBOYS conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are your tools for combining ideas. Each has a specific meaning and proper punctuation rules.

Mastering compound sentences is a significant step toward writing and speaking like a native English user.

Themes

All Grammar (Basic) in This Chapter (26)

• Compound Sentences Joining two independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions
• Complex Sentences Combining independent and dependent clauses
• so / such Intensifiers with different grammar patterns
• too / enough Expressing excess and sufficiency
• as...as Comparing equal qualities or quantities
• -ing vs -ed Adjectives Choosing between -ing and -ed adjective forms
• Modifying Comparatives Making comparisons stronger or weaker
• It seems/appears that... Expressing uncertainty or cautious observation
• Gerund as Subject Using -ing form as the subject of a sentence
• Verbs + Gerund Verbs followed by the -ing form
• Verbs + Infinitive Verbs followed by the to-infinitive
• stop/remember/try + Gerund or Infinitive Verbs with different meanings depending on gerund or infinitive
• Separable Phrasal Verbs Phrasal verbs where the object can go in the middle
• Inseparable Phrasal Verbs Phrasal verbs where object must follow the particle
• It-cleft Sentences (Basic) Emphasizing specific information
• the more...the more Parallel increase or decrease
• do/does/did for Emphasis Adding emphasis to affirmative statements
• Participle Clauses (Time) Reducing time clauses to participles
• It's time + past tense Expressing that something should happen now
• So do I / Neither do I Short responses agreeing with statements
• the same as / different from Expressing similarity and difference
• similar to / like Expressing resemblance
• It is...that (cleft sentence) Emphasizing a specific part of the sentence
• What...is (wh-cleft) Another way to emphasize information
• Adjective + preposition patterns Fixed prepositions after adjectives
• Verb + preposition patterns Fixed prepositions after verbs