May English Classes and Using Conjunctions to Write Compound Sentences

For your sentences, use conjunctions--any of the ones listed below EXCEPT the word and. Try different conjunctions, and try using them in different ways!

There are coordinating conjunctions that work alone:

• and
  
• but
  
• or
  
• nor
  
• for
  
• yet
  
• so
  

And there are correlative conjunctions that work in pairs:

• either ... or
  
• neither ... nor
  
• both ... and
  
• not only ... but also
  

Either kind of conjunctions can join together all kinds of sentence parts.

Compound subject:
Madison and Mariah raise rabbits.

Compound adjective:
The girls are busy but responsible.

Compound predicate:
They clean the cages and groom the rabbits for a 4-H show.

Compound adverb:
They work quickly and carefully.

Compound direct object:
They need a ride to the exhibit hall. Madison will ask her mother or her father.

Compound object of a preposition:
After the demonstration and the judging the girls decide it is time to go home.

Compound indirect object:
Mariah will give either her mother or her father a call to ask for a ride.

Either kind of conjunctions can join together independent sentences. You will be using them to create compound sentences. Notice that the comma in front of the conjunction is required when you join two complete independent clauses!

• Either the girls will continue to work with rabbits, or they will decide to do a different project next year.
  
• Mariah loves taking care of her rabbits, so she will probably choose to do them again.
  
• Madison wants to raise horses, but she doesn't have enough money to do that.
  
• Madison would like to continue to work with Mariah, for they are best friends.
  
• Not only do the girls want to continue to work together, but they also want to continue in their same 4-H club.
  
• The other girls in the club want to continue next year, too, yet they will need to find a new leader.