Punctuation of Compound Sentences

“Heirarchy of Punctuation”

The cats ate the fish. The dog ate the hamburger.

The cats ate the fish; the dog ate a hamburger.

The cats ate the fish, but the dog ate a hamburger.

The cats ate the fish; so the dog ate the hamburger.

The cats ate the fish; therefore, the dog ate the hamburger.

Examine the 5 sentences above. Do they each say the same thing? What can you conclude about the punctuation of these sentences?

Sentence + Sentence

.

;

, and(but, or, for, yet)

;however, (thus, therefore, hence, thereafter, ergo, accordingly, consequently, moreover, nevertheless)

(Important: when, while, because, since, if, as if, even though, after, before, do not connect compound sentences !)

Punctuation

Comma

  1. Use a comma to separate items in a series.
  2. She was on the staff in Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, and Madrid.
  3. They searched in the drawers, under the beds, around the livingroom furniture, and in the kitchen.
  1. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.
  2. We sat through a long, dull, amateurish performance.
  3. She is an alert, vivacious girl.
  1. Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet when they join independent clauses.
  2. The first two acts were slow, but the third act was full of action.
  3. Saturday’s council meeting was quiet, for no one raised any objections.
  1. Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and phrases (you can remove the clause or phrase and the meaning of the sentence is still complete.)
  2. Joan Thomas, who was offered scholarships to three colleges, will go to Rutgers inn September.
  3. Julia Roberts, who recently had twins, is a wonderful actress.

Essential clause: Joan Thomas is the only senior who won scholarships to three colleges. (without the clause, the meaning of the sentence would change)

  1. Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no when they begin a sentence.
  2. Yes, you were elected.
  3. Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that.
  4. Well, what are you doing now?
  1. Use a comma after an introductory clause.
  2. While Marion put the costume on, the accompanist played a solo.
  3. Because she felt ill, Mary Anne didn’t go on the class trip.
  1. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence.
  2. Appositives
  • A column by Bernice Silver, the noted writer, will appear in the Times on Sunday.
  • His best friend, Michael, stayed with him all day.
  • Mr. Wilson, the new coach for the team, was introduced at the dinner.
  1. Direct address (using someone’s name as you speak to them)

Sarah, how old are you now?

What is your birthday, Sarah?

Good morning, Sarah, how are you?

c. Parenthetical expressions (interrupt the sentence)

I believe (hope, know, hope)

I am sureof course

On the contraryin my opinion

On the other handfor example

After allhowever

By the waynevertheless

Incidentallyto tell the truth

In fact

Indeed

Naturally

Clauses vs. Phrases

Two definitions you MUST KNOW and be able to GIVE EXAMPLES.

  1. A clause is a ______that contain a ______and a ______.

2. A phrase is a ______that DO NOT contain a ______or a ______.

( X )

3.A verb phrase is a different construction made up of two or more verbs. Examples:

Can walk

Am walking

Will be walking

Does walk

Did walked