Page 15 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

Unit 1: Functional English Grammar—Types of Sentences, Sentence Structure

1.3.2 Compound Sentences Notes
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.
1. I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak English.
2. Alejandro played football, so Maria went shopping.
3. Alejandro 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, “Alejandro
played football” first, and as a consequence, “Maria went shopping. In sentence C, “Maria went
shopping” first. In sentence C, “Alejandro 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 no the
meaning of the sentence?
There are three ways to join the clauses:
1. With a coordinator I enjoy tennis, but I hate golf.
2. With a conjunctive adverb I enjoy tennis; however, I hate golf.
3. With a semicolon I enjoy tennis; I hate golf.
Let’s study each type of compound sentence in more detail.
1. Compound Sentences with Coordinators
A compound sentence can be formed as follows:
Independent clause + Coordinator + Independent clause
Notice that there is a comma after the first independent clause. The following sentences
illustrate the meanings of the seven “FAN BOYS” coordinators.

for Women live longer than men, for they take better care of their health. (The second
clause gives the reason for the first clause.)

and Women follow more healthful diets, and they go to doctors more often. (The two clauses
express equal, similar ideas.)

nor Women don’t smoke as much as men do, nor do they drink as much alcohol. (Nor
means “and not.” It joins two negative independent clauses. Notice that question word
order is used after nor.)

but Men may exercise harder, but they may not exercise as regularly as women do. (The
two clauses express equal, contrasting ideas.)

or Both men and women should limit the amount of fat in their diets, or they risk getting
heart disease. (The two clauses express alternative possibilities.)

yet Women used to be known as the “weaker sex,” yet in some ways, they are stronger
than men. (The second clause is a surprising or unexpected contrast to the first clause.)

so Men are less cautious than women, so more men die in accidents. (The second clause
is the result of the first clause.)

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