Page 21 - DENG103_English - I

English–I

Notes The three examples above are all simple sentences. Note that sentence B contains a compound
subject, and sentence C contains a compound verb. Simple sentences, therefore, contain a
subject and verb and express a complete thought, but they can also contain a compound
subjects or verbs.

2.2 Compound Sentence

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator. The coordinators
are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the
coordinators spells FANBOYS.) Except for very short sentences, coordinators are always preceded
by a comma. In the following compound sentences, subjects are in yellow, verbs are in green,
and the coordinators and the commas that precede them are in red.
• I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak English.

• Mohan played football, so Reena went shopping.
• Shyamal played football, for Maria went shopping.

The above three sentences are compound sentences. Each sentence contains two independent
clauses, and they are joined by a coordinator with a comma preceding it. Note how the
conscious use of coordinators can change the relationship between the clauses. Sentences B
and C, for example, are identical except for the coordinators. In sentence B, which action
occurred first? Obviously, “Mohan played football” first, and as a consequence, “Reena went
shopping. In sentence C, “Maria went shopping” first. In sentence C, “Shyamal played football”
because, possibly, he didn’t have anything else to do, for or because “Maria went shopping.”
How can the use of other coordinators change the relationship between the two clauses? What
implications would the use of “yet” or “but” have on the meaning of the sentence?

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. Sentence is a group of words containing ......... and predicate.
2. A compound sentence contains two ......... clauses.
3. A complex sentence always has a ......... .

2.3 Complex Sentence

A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A
complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when or
a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. In the following complex sentences, subjects are
in yellow, verbs are in green, and the subordinators and their commas (when required) are in red.
A. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the last page.
B. The teacher returned the homework after she noticed the error.
C. The students are studying because they have a test tomorrow.
D. After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the movies.

E. Juan and Maria went to the movies after they finished studying.
When a complex sentence begins with a subordinator such as sentences A and D, a comma is
required at the end of the dependent clause. When the independent clause begins the sentence

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