Chapter 10 I Types of Sentences 165

Compound A compound sentence is two or more independent clauses joined together. There
Sentence§ are three ways to join the clauses:
1. With a coordinator
Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater, so food cooks faster
in salt water.

2. With a conjunctive adverb

Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater; therefore, food
cooks faster in salt water.

3. With a semicolon
Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater; food cooks faster in
salt water.

Let's study each type of compound sentence in more detail.

Compound Sentences with Coordinators

A compound sentence can be formed as follows:
Independent clause, + coordinator + independent clause
Salt water boils at a lower temperature than freshwater, so food cooks faster in
salt water.

There are seven coordinators, which are also called coordinating conjunctions. You
can remember them by the phrase FAN BOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). The
following sentences illustrate the meanings of the seven FAN BOYS coordinators.
(Punctuation note: There is a comma after the first independent clause.)
166 Part 111 I Sentence Structure

Coordinator§ (Coordinating Conjunction§)

To add a reason

To add a negative equal idea

nor They do not eat a lot of red meat, nor do they eat many dairy products.
Note: Nor means "and not." It joins two negative independent clauses. Notice that question word
order is used after nor.

To add an opposite idea

Diet is one factor in how long people live, but it is not the only factor.

To add an alternative possibility

To add an expected result

Doctors say that stress is another longevity factor, so try to avoid stress if you wish to live a longer life.

But and yet have similar meanings: They both signal that an opposite idea is com-
ing. But is preferred when the two clauses are direct opposites. When the second
clause is an unexpected or surprising continuation because of information given in
the first clause, yet is prefened. (But is acceptable for both meanings; yet for only
one meaning.) Compare:
I want to study art, but my parents want me to study engineering. (direct
opposite)

I am very bad at math, yet my parents want me to study engineering. (surprising

continuation after "I am very bad at math")
 Chapter 10 I TlJpes of Sentences 167

:PRACTICE 3 Which coordinator would you use to connect the two clauses in these sentences?
Wlite either but or yet in the blank space.
But versus Yet
1a. Too much sun damages the skin, but many people still do not use
sunscreen.
b. Too much sun damages the skin, yet too little sun also causes
health problems.
2a. The company's sales increased last year, yet its profits declined.
b. The company moved its marketing division to Phoenix, but the
operations division stayed in Boston.
3a. Population growth has slowed in most developing countries, yet _
it has not slowed enough to avoid serious problems.
b. The fertility rate in India has decreased from 6 to 3 births per female,
but
_ _ _ _ India's population is expanding at the rate of 18 million
per year.

PRACTICE 4 A. Form compound sentences by adding another independent clause to the

following independent clauses. Be sure to write a complete clause containing
Compound
a subject and a verb. Circle the coordinator and add punctuation. The first one
Sentences with
Coordinators has been done for you as an example.
1. The college campus is located in the center of the city;@it is very easy to
get there by public transportation.
2. According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe began expanding about
13.7 billion years ago and created the universe today _

3. Does the universe have an outer edge or the universe have

_
a-center
- -------------------------_?
4. Scientists predict that intelligent life exists somewhere in the universe but
science is hard proud
5. Mars probes have photographed rocks with water markings on them yet
it's very important to scientists
6. We may not be able to communicate with other life forms for _
science has't progressed to that level
7. Instead of taldng the psychology final exam, we can write a lO-page
research paper or do bilogogical reseach _

8. I want to write a research paper yet I will write it tomorrow_

9. Three weeks before the end of the term, I had not stmied my paper nor _ _
do homework
10. I needed help choosing a topic so I thought for a long time
_
168 Part 1n I Sentence Structure

B. For each pair of the following sentences form a compound sentence by joining
the two independent clauses with a coordinator that best fits the meaning. Use
each FAN BOYS coordinator once. Write your new sentences on a separate
sheet of paper, and punctuate them correctly. The first one has been done for
you as an example.

1. Nuclear accidents can happen. Nuclear power plants must have strict safety
controls.
Nuclear accidents can happen, so nuclear power plants must have strict safety
controls.
2. The accident at the nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in the United
States created fears about the safety of this energy source. The disaster at
Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union confirmed them. and
3. Solar heating systems are economical to operate. The cost of installation is
very high. but
4. Energy needs are not going to decrease. Energy sources are not going to
increase. (Use nor and question word order in the second clause, deleting
the word not). and
5. Burning fossil fuels causes serious damage to our planet We need to
develop other sources of energy. so
6. Ecologists know that burning fossil fuels causes holes in the ozone layer.
People continue to do it yet
7. Developing nations especially will continue this harmful practice. They do
not have the money to develop "clean" energy sources. for
8. All nations of the world must take action. Our children and grandchildren
will suffer the consequences. or
C. Write seven compound sentences of your own, using each coordinator once.

Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs

A second way to form a compound sentence is as follows:
Independent clause; + conjunctive adverb, + independent clause

Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater; therefore, food cooks
faster in salt water.

Punctuation note: Put a semicolon before and a comma after the conjunctive adverb.

Several transition signals, such as on the other hand, as a result, andfor example,
act like conjunctive adverbs; they can also connect independent clauses with a semi-
colon and a comma. The following chart lists common conjunctive adverbs and a few
transition signals that can be used in this way.
 Chapter m I l\!pes of Sentences 169

also Community colleges offer preparation for many occupations; also/besides/furthermore/

besides in addition/moreover, they prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
furthermore
in addition
moreover

as well Community colleges offer preparation for many occupations; they prepare students to transfer
to a four-year college or university as well.

too Community colleges offer preparation for many occupations; they prepare students to transfer
to a four-year college or university, too.

To add an unexpected or surprising continuation . .

The cost of attending a community college is low; however/nevertheless/nonetheless/still,
many students need financial aid.

To add a complete .contrast ..

. To an expected result.
accordingly Native and nonnative English speakers have different needs; accordingly/as a result!
as a result consequently/hence/therefore/thus, most schools provide separate English classes for
consequently each group.
hence
therefore
thus

To add an example
Most colleges now have a writing requirement for graduation; for example/for instance,
students at my college must pass a writing test before they register for their final semester.
170 Part 111 I Sentence Structure

PRACT1CE 5 A. Form compound sentences by adding a second independent clause to each

independent clause. Be sure to add a complete clause containing a subject
Compound
Sentences with and a verb. Circle the conjunctive adverb and add punctuation. Some of these
Conjunctive sentences are from Practice 4A on page 167. The first one has been done for
Adverbs you as an example.
1. The college campus is located in the center of the city; therefore, it is very
easy to get there by public transportation.

2. According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe began expanding about
13.7 billion years ago moreover it created space,energy, _
and matter to create the universe today
3. Students must pay their tuition and fees before they register for classes
otherwise they maybe eelled from school _

4. Scientists predict that intelligent life exists somewhere in the universe

however we can not contact to that life in a easy _

5. Mars probes have photographed rocks with water markings on them

nevertheless it's an important evidence for scientists _

6. My roommate scored high on the English placement test as a result she_

took part in the international english competition
7. Tuition and fees increase every year for example tuition fees in_ 2021
200$ and will increase to 300$ in 2022
8. The class thought the teacher would give a test last Friday instead study
_
new lesson to keep up with the curiculum
B. On a separate sheet of paper, combine the pairs of sentences in items 3, 5, 6,
and 8 from Practice 4B on page 168, using conjunctive adverbs instead of
coordinators. Punctuate your new sentences correctly. The first one has been
done for you as an example.
1. Nuclear accidents can happen. Nuclear power plants must have strict safety
controls.
Nuclear accidents can happen; therefore. nuclear power plants mUst have
strict safety controls.

C. Wlite five compound sentences, using each of these conjunctive adverbs once:
in addition, nevertheless, on the other hand, therefore, and for instance.
3-however
5-as the result
6-nevertheless
8-otherwise
 Chapter 10 I Types of Sentences 171

Compound Sentences with Semicolons

A third way to form a compound sentence is to connect the two independent clauses
with a semicolon alone:
I INDEPENDENT CLAUSE I
Poland was the first Eastern European country to turn away from communism;
,----INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

others soon followed.

This kind of compound sentence is possible only when the two independent clauses
are closely related in meaning. If they are not closely related, they should be writ-
ten as two simple sentences, each ending with a period.

RRJ.\.CTICE 6 A. Place a semicolon between the two independent clauses in the following
compound sentences.
Compound
Sentences with 1. The practice of yoga strengthens the body and promotes flexibility it also
Semicolons strengthens the mind and refreshes the soul.
2. Motherhood causes some women to quit their jobs others con1inue working
despite having young children to care for.
3. Three hundred guests attended his wedding two attended his funeral.

B. On a separate sheet of paper, write three compound sentences of your own,

using a semicolon to join the independent clauses.

RRACTICE 7 Use what you have learned about forming compound sentences to improve the fol-
lowing mini-essay, which contains many short, simple sentences. Combine sen-
Editing Practice
tences wherever possible. Try to use each of the three methods at least once. There
are many possible ways to combine sentences.

Robots
1A robot is a mechanical device that can perform boring, dangerous, and
difficult tasks. 2First of all, robots can perform repetitive tasks without becoming
so
tired or bored. 3They are used in automobile factories to weld and paint. 4Robots
morever
can also function in hostile environments. 5They are useful for exploring the
ocean bottom as well as deep outer space. 6Finally, robots can perform tasks
requiring pinpoint accuracy. 71n the operating room, robotic equipment can assist
the surgeon. aFor instance, a robot can kill a brain tumor. 91t can operate on a
fetus with great precision.
and
10The field of artificial intelligence is giving robots a limited ability to think
and to make decisions. 11 However, robots cannot think conceptually. 12Robots
however
cannot function independently. 13Humans have to program them. 14They are
useless. [Use othelWise to combine sentences 13 and 14.] 15Therefore, humans
should not worry that robots will take over the world-at least not yet.