1. Unit 2 Grammar Using commas to join compound sentences

2. Rule  Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in order to join two independent clauses together.  Coordinating Conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so  Independent Clause: a complete thought with a subject and a verb

3. Examples of compound sentences  April liked the ballet, but Jenny thought it was boring.  People in the 60’s rebelled against the government, yet they used different tactics than are used today.

4. These sentence are NOT compound sentences, so you do not use a comma.  My sister was accepted to Ball State but decided to go to Indiana State.  What he is saying and how he is behaving are two totally different things. You should notice that what follows the conjunctions are not complete thoughts, so you do not use a comma.

5. FANBOYS: the coordinating conjunctions.  For  And  Nor  Boy  Or  Yet  So

6. To test compound sentences:  Cover up the FANBOYS and read the sentence without it.  If both halves make sense as complete thoughts, then it is a compound sentence. Use a comma before the FANBOYS.  If both halves do not make sense alone, do not use a comma before the conjunction.