Simple vs. Compound Sentences Grammar & Conventions 6 th Grade ELA Workshop Grammar & Conventions 6 th Grade ELA Workshop

Simple Sentences – Definition / A Simple Sentence is a sentence that has just ONE independent clause. It may have additional phrases, but there is only one clause

Compound Sentences – Definition / A Compound Sentence is a sentence that joins two independent clauses together with a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.

Formula Independent Clause + Independent Clause = Compound Sentence

What’s a Clause? / A clause is a SUBJECT & a PREDICATE working together. / Example: / I am going. / Reading is fun. / He studies hard, so he earns good grades. / A clause is a SUBJECT & a PREDICATE working together. / Example: / I am going. / Reading is fun. / He studies hard, so he earns good grades.

Independent Clauses / An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone. It is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. / An independent clause IS a sentence. / An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone. It is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. / An independent clause IS a sentence.

Dependent Clauses / A dependent clause is a clause that CANNOT stand alone. It is a groups of words that contains a subject and a verb, but does NOT express a complete thought. / We will discuss this more with complex sentences! / A dependent clause is a clause that CANNOT stand alone. It is a groups of words that contains a subject and a verb, but does NOT express a complete thought. / We will discuss this more with complex sentences!

Fixing Choppy Sentences / Ex) The cat was happy. / Ex) He slept underneath the bed. / Compound = The cat was happy, and he slept underneath the bed. / Ex) The cat was happy. / Ex) He slept underneath the bed. / Compound = The cat was happy, and he slept underneath the bed.

Combining Clauses / There are two ways to combine independent clauses to make a compound sentence: / Comma + Coordinating Conjunction / Semicolon / There are two ways to combine independent clauses to make a compound sentence: / Comma + Coordinating Conjunction / Semicolon

Comma + Coordinating Conjunction / A coordinating conjunction is also known as a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

/ For / And / Nor / But / Or / Yet / So / For / And / Nor / But / Or / Yet / So

Comma + CC/FANBOYS / Ex) The teens walked to the park, but it was closed. / Ex) The gentleman did not know where the sound came from, so he hid behind the tree. / Ex) The teens walked to the park, but it was closed. / Ex) The gentleman did not know where the sound came from, so he hid behind the tree.

Semicolon / You can also use a semicolon to create a compound sentence since the two statements are equal. / Ex) The teacher applauded the class; the kids beamed with pride. / Ex) The dog ate; the cat slept. / You can also use a semicolon to create a compound sentence since the two statements are equal. / Ex) The teacher applauded the class; the kids beamed with pride. / Ex) The dog ate; the cat slept.

/ Now, it is your turn!

Practice Directions: Underline the independent clauses in each sentence. Then indicate whether each sentence is simple or compound. 1. The rain fell for hours and ruined the picnic. Simple Compound 2. I left, but Marcy stayed. Simple Compound 3. Polar bears feed on seals; seals feed on fish. Simple Compound Directions: Underline the independent clauses in each sentence. Then indicate whether each sentence is simple or compound. 1. The rain fell for hours and ruined the picnic. Simple Compound 2. I left, but Marcy stayed. Simple Compound 3. Polar bears feed on seals; seals feed on fish. Simple Compound

Practice Directions: Underline the independent clauses in each sentence. Then indicate whether each sentence is simple or compound. 4. Female penguins usually stay at sea, but they return when their eggs hatch. Simple Compound 5. The sloth eats and sleep while hanging upside down. Simple Compound 6. The pouch under a pelican’s bill is huge, holding up to 25 pounds of fish. Simple Compound Directions: Underline the independent clauses in each sentence. Then indicate whether each sentence is simple or compound. 4. Female penguins usually stay at sea, but they return when their eggs hatch. Simple Compound 5. The sloth eats and sleep while hanging upside down. Simple Compound 6. The pouch under a pelican’s bill is huge, holding up to 25 pounds of fish. Simple Compound

Practice Directions: Underline the independent clauses in each sentence. Then indicate whether each sentence is simple or compound. 7. Kiwi birds have nostrils on their beaks; they can smell earthworms. Simple Compound 8. Sharks have to keep moving constantly, or they suffocate. Simple Compound 9. Most rabbits drown in water, but the marsh rabbit can swim. Simple Compound Directions: Underline the independent clauses in each sentence. Then indicate whether each sentence is simple or compound. 7. Kiwi birds have nostrils on their beaks; they can smell earthworms. Simple Compound 8. Sharks have to keep moving constantly, or they suffocate. Simple Compound 9. Most rabbits drown in water, but the marsh rabbit can swim. Simple Compound

Practice Directions: Create a compound sentence using the independent clauses given. 10. I’m driving to the office in an hour. I’ll pick up the supplies on the way.__________________________________________________________________ 11. Up went the lottery jackpot. Down went our hopes of winning.__________________________________________________________________ 12. We surveyed the dirty cabin. We each shrugged silently.__________________________________________________________________ Directions: Create a compound sentence using the independent clauses given. 10. I’m driving to the office in an hour. I’ll pick up the supplies on the way.__________________________________________________________________ 11. Up went the lottery jackpot. Down went our hopes of winning.__________________________________________________________________ 12. We surveyed the dirty cabin. We each shrugged silently.__________________________________________________________________