Simple and Compound Sentences

Lesson for Finding the Titanic

BrainpopJR

Annie and Moby show how to combine sentences together using conjunctions, and show you where the commas should go.

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(click here)

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Simple Sentences

A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought. In the following simple sentences, subjects are in yellow, and verbs are in green.

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• Some students like to study in the mornings.
• Juan and Arturo play football every afternoon.
• Alicia goes to the library and studies every day.

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Compouind Sentences

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. The conjunctions are as follows: for, and, or. Conjunctions must have a comma before the conjunction. In the following compound sentences, subjects are in yellow, verbs are in green, and the conjunctions and the commas that precede them are in red.

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• I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried English.
• Alejandro played football, so Maria went shopping.
• Alejandro could play football, or he could go shopping.

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Conjunctions

and, or, but

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Commas

The comma PRECEDES (comes before) the conjunction word.

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• Odin was playing with his buffalo, and his hedgehog.
• The Titanic was the largest ship when it was built, but now there are bigger ships.
• His mom said he could go to the main ballroom, or his cabin.

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