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WRITING TIPS LESSON

COMMA CONFIDENCE: COMMAS IN COMPOUND SENTENCES

Key #3: identify the Punctuation Patterns of Compound Sentences

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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. .



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Updated September 20, 2014