WRITING TIPS LESSON
COMMA CONFIDENCE: COMMAS IN COMPOUND SENTENCES
Key #3: identify the Punctuation Patterns of Compound Sentences
Here are four correct patterns for punctuating compound sentences and seven incorrect patterns.
Pattern 1: Comma, compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction (cc) (FANBOYS, two or three letter conjunctions)
Pattern: SVO, cc SVO
Example: This morning Harry met Sally, and he fell in love.
Pattern 2: Semi-colon, conjunctive adverb (ca), and comma (call them conjunctive adverbs or independent markers, they are longer words than the FANBOYS)
Pattern: SVO; ca, SVO
Example: This morning Harry met Sally; therefore, he fell in love.
Pattern 3: Semi-colon
Pattern: SVO; SVO
Example: This morning Harry met Sally; he fell in love.
Pattern 4: Two sentences
Pattern: SVO. SVO.
Example: This morning Harry met Sally. He fell in love.
Of course not all of the sentences you write and must puncuate will be this simple; however, you can keep the pattern in mind as you look at your sentences.
Recognize these error patterns:
Error 1: No comma with coordinating conjunction
Error Pattern: SVO cc SVO
Error Example: This morning Harry met Sally and he fell in love.
Correct Pattern: SVO, cc SVO
Correction, add the comma before the conjunction: This morning Harry met Sally, and he fell in love.
Error 2-Two Subjects
Error Pattern: S, cc SVO
Error Example: Harry, and Sally met in the park.
Correct Pattern: S cc SVO
Correction: Remove the comma: Harry and Sally met in the park.
Error 3-Two Verbs
Error Pattern; SV, cc VO
Error Example: Harry ran, and met Sally.
Correct Pattern: SV cc VO
Correction: Remove the comma: Harry ran and met Sally.
Error 4-Two Verbs with Objects
Error Pattern: SVO, cc VO
Error Example: This morning Harry met Sally, and fell in love.
Correct Pattern: SVO cc VO
Correction: insert subject to make the last part an independent clause: This morning Harry met Sally, and he fell in love.
Error 5-Two Objects
Error Pattern: SVO, cc O
Error Example: This morning Harry met Sally, and her dog.
Correct Pattern: SVO cc O
Correction: Remove the comma: This morning Harry met Sally and her dog.
Error 6-Simple Comma Splice
Error Pattern: SVO, SVO
Error Example: This morning Harry met Sally, he fell in love.
Correct Pattern: SVO, cc SVO
Correction: Add a coordinating conjunction: This morning Harry met Sally, and he fell in love.
Error 7-Conjunctive Adverb Comma Splice
Error Pattern: SVO, ca SVO
Error Example: This morning Harry met Sally, however, he did not like meeting her dog.
Correct Pattern: SVO; ca SVO
Correction: Change the first comma to a semi-colon: This morning Harry met Sally; however, he did not like meeting her dog. .