1 | Conjunctions

Sentence Variety and Conjunctions

Why is it important to understand sentence variety?

Knowing how to write in college or at work with sentence variety can be the difference between sounding like a weak writerand a strong writer. Read the paragraphs below. Which do you think sounds more academic?

Paragraph 1
Community colleges in the United States have an open access policy. Because this is true, students at community colleges come from all different walks of life. Pierce College is one of these colleges, and itsstudents represent various backgrounds. For example, ages range from nineteen to seventy; moreover, the ethnicities here represent a variety of cultures, for students at Pierce College come from countries all over the world.SincePierce College has an open access policy, the student-population here reflects a wide range of diverse backgrounds.
Paragraph 2
Community colleges in the United States have an open access policy. Students at community colleges come from all different walks of life. Pierce College is one of them. For instance, students at Pierce College come from all different age backgrounds. Ages range from nineteen to seventy. The ethnicities here represent a variety of cultures. Students at Pierce College come from countries all over the world. The student-population here reflects a wide range of diverse backgrounds.

Three Sentence Types

Look at the table below. Notice the bold words are subjects, and the underlined words are verbs.

Sentence Type / Example / Structure
  1. Simple Sentence
/ Moodleassists students with their progress. / Subject + Verb + Complete Thought
↓
*______
  1. Compound Sentence
/ Moodleassists students with their progress, so everyoneshould use it. / Indpt. Clause +, + ______+ Indpt. Clause
  1. Complex Sentence
/ Because Moodleassists students with their progress, everyoneshould use it. / indpt. clause + sub. word ______
OR
*sub. word + dependent clause + , + indpt. clause

*Independent Clause = Subject + Verb + Complete thought. It can stand on its own.

*Dependent Clause = Subject + Verb. It can’t stand on its own because it doesn’t have a complete thought.

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence is an independent clause. Label the subject + verb.

  • Some studentsmake great friends in college.

SV

  • Many students become familiar with new cultures in college.
  • Having an open mind is an important part of college.

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is a combination of two independent clauses connected with a comma and a coordinating word (FANBOYS). These sentences may or may start with transitions to connect to ideas that come before them as well. Identify both independent clauses on each side of FANBOYS.

FANBOYS = F______, A______, N ______, B______, O______, Y______, S______

  • Some students make great friends in college, but many people don’t want to meet new people.

(Indp. Clause) (Indp. Clause)

  • Many students become familiar with new cultures in college, and they appreciate diversity.
  • Having an open mind is an important part of college, and career success.

(NOT a compound sentence)

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence is a combination of an independent and dependent clause. The dependent clause begins with a subordinating word (WASBIT). Identify the clauses in each sentence.

WASBIT = W______, A______, S______, B______, I______, T______

  • Although many students don’t want to meet new people in college, some make great friends.

(Dep. Clause)(Indp. Clause)

  • Because many students become familiar with new cultures in college, they appreciate diversity.
  • Having an open mind is an important part of college; However, it comes with some challenges.

(NOT a complex sentence)

Forming Compound and Complex Sentences

  1. Compound Sentences: (FANBOYS= Coordinating Conjunctions)

FANBOYS / MEANING / EXAMPLE
For / Karen went to bed late, for she stayed up studying all night.
And / Cindy needs to get a job, and she wants to find a good one.
Nor / Students don’t want to pay for books, nor do they want to pay for parking. (Notice the word order.)
But / To show contrast / Mark loves to learn new things, but he can’t stand making mistakes.
Or / We can study in the library, or we can review together outside.
Yet / To show contrast / Studying in the library is productive, yet it is hard to have a group conversation in there.
So / I want to transfer to a university, so I have to finish all of my general education courses.

Coordinating Words Punctuation Rule: To combine two independent clauses with a comma and FANBOYS (coordinating conjunction), you need to put a comma before the FANBOYS and make sure both sides of the FANBOYS are a complete sentence.

Practice: Write your own compound sentences about your career or academic goals. Be sure to use a different FANBOYS for each sentence, and use proper punctuation.

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

COMPLEX SENTENCES (Subordinating Conjunctions= WASBIT)

WASBIT / MEANING / EXAMPLE
When
Or
while / When I started taking classes here, I didn’t know where anything was.
While I walk around campus, I look for people I know.
As (soon as)
Or
Although / As soon as I see you, I’ll give you back your money.
As I walked down the road, I saw my best friend drive by.
Although I live very close to school, I drive.
Since / Since I don’t know you, I don’t trust you.
Since I arrived in the United States, I’ve been trying to learn English.
Because
before / To show reason / Because I have never taken a college class before, I am a bit confused.
If / To show condition / If I pass this class, I can take ENGL 99 next semester.
though / Though it is hard to have a study group in the library, it is still a good place to study.

Subordinating Words Punctuation Rule: When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, use a comma before the independent clause. When a sentence has a subordinating conjunction after the independent clause, you don’t need a comma.

Practice: Write your own complex sentences about your career or academic goals. You can use the information in the previous sentences to do this. Be sure to use a different WASBIT in each sentence, and use proper punctuation.

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

C. Understand what NOT to do when you make compound and complex sentences: Do not use both a coordinating and subordinating word in the same sentence.

  • Although I don’t you, but I want to hang out. (incorrect)
  • Because I want to learn Spanish, so I should study abroad.(incorrect)
  • If I get a degree, so I can get a better job.(incorrect)

Other types of conjunctions= Transition words you can use transitions at the beginning of a new sentence to connect simple, compound, or complex sentences. To remember the transitions, remember HOTMAMACATS.

HOTMAMACATS = however, otherwise, therefore, moreover, additionally, meanwhile, also, consequently,

also, thus, similarly

HOTMAMACATS / MEANING / EXAMPLE
However / To show contrast / I’ve been taking classes here for two semesters; however, I still have not taken my English courses.
Otherwise / I have to babysit my niece; otherwise, I would study for my test.
Therefore / To show result / I have been going to the Writing Café to get help with my writing; therefore, I really understand this class.
Moreover / I have been getting good grades on the quizzes in this class; moreover, the instructor told me I got the highest midterm grade.
Additionally / To show addition / It’s important to register for classes on time; additionally, it’s important to make sure the classes you take are the ones you need.
Meanwhile / You can go to the library to study; meanwhile, I will go to the cafeteria and get a coffee so that we can stay awake.
Accordingly / To show a result / The new tune-up schedule has been posted; accordingly, the tutors will be happy to help you during that time.
Consequently / Martha didn’t register for her classes on time; consequently, she didn’t get the classes that she wanted to take.
Also / To show addition / Mike wants to complete his general education courses by next semester; also, he wants to have applied to five universities.
thus / Jody enjoys working with students who are eager to learn; therefore, she is always happy to help enthusiastic students.
Similarly / To show comparison / History classes require a lot of reading and writing; similarly, psychology courses require an immense amount of these text-rich skills.

Transition Words Punctuation Rule:Put a semi colon before the transition word and a comma after it to start a new sentence. You don’t need to capitalize the transition word if it comes after a semi colon.

Practice: Write your own pairs of sentences below using a transition word between each pair. Use a different transition for each one, and be sure to use proper punctuation.

1. ______

2. ______

3. ______

Practice: Your Turn! Carefully read the sentences below. Revise the punctuation needed for the kind of conjunction being used. Be ready to share your answers with the group.

  1. I did my best to turn in my history paper on time but it was still late.
  2. It makes sense that Annie drives home because she got the most sleep besides; you crashed your car last month.
  3. You need to do your best work on that exam, otherwise you will not be able to pass the class.
  4. Jake will head over to the party and I will stop and get some snacks.
  5. She is going to talk to her dad about it although I doubt it will do her any good.

Practice: Use the Sentences below and the connecting words listed to write the same information different ways.

Writing essays in college requires a lot of planning, drafting, and rewriting. Writing reports for work demands the writing process.

  • Similarly ______

______

  • and

______

Studying geography of the USin my textbook is hard. Learning geography of the US by traveling makes more sense to me.

  • although ______

______

however

______

  • yet

______