Compound Sentence Worksheet for ESL Students

There are three types of sentences in English: simple, compound and complex. This worksheet focuses on writing compound sentences and is ideal for lower-intermediate classes. Teachers can feel free to print out this page to use in class. Compound Sentences—What are They? Compound sentences are made up of two simple sentences connected by a coordinating conjunction. A great way to remember  conjunctions is FANBOYS: F - For: reasonsA - And: addition/next actionN - Nor: not one or the otherB - But: contrasting and unexpected resultsO - Or: choices and conditionsY - Yet: contrasting and unexpected resultsS - So: actions taken   Here are some example compound sentences: Tom arrived home. Then, he ate dinner. - Tom arrived home and ate dinner. We studied many hours for the test. We didnt pass the test. - We studied many hours for the test, but we didnt pass it. Peter doesnt need to buy a new car. He also doesnt need to go on vacation. - Peter doesnt need to buy a new car, nor does he need to go on vacation. Conjunction Use in Compound Sentences Conjunctions are used for different purposes in sentences. A comma is always placed before the conjunction. Here are the main uses of the FANBOYS: Addition/Next Action and And is used as a coordinating conjunction to show that something is in addition to something else. Another use of and is to show that one action follows another.   Addition: Tom enjoys playing tennis, and he likes cooking.Next Action: We drove home, and we went to bed. Opposition—Contrasting or Showing  Unexpected Results but/yet Both but and yet are used to contrast pros and cons or show unexpected results.   Pros and cons of a situation:  We wanted to visit our friends, but we didnt have enough money to get a flight.Unexpected results: Janet did very well on her job interview, yet she didnt get the position. Effect/Cause—So/For Confusing these two coordinating conjunctions is easy. So expresses a result based on a reason. For provides the reason. Consider the following sentences:   I need some money. I went to the bank. The result of needing money is that I went to the bank. In this case, use so. I needed some money, so I went to the bank. The reason I went to the bank is because I needed money. In this case, use for. I went to the bank, for I needed some money. Effect - Mary needed some new clothing, so she went shopping.Cause - They stayed home for the holiday, for they had to work. Choice Between Two or We thought we might go to see a film, or we might have dinner out.Angela said she might buy him a watch, or she might give him a gift certificate. Conditions or You should study a lot for the test, or you wont pass. If you dont study a lot for the test, you wont pass.   Not One nor the Other nor We wont be able to visit our friends, nor will they be able to visit us this summer.Sharon isnt going to the conference, nor is she going to present there. NOTE: Notice how when using nor the sentence structure is inverted. In other words, after nor, place the helping verb before the subject. Compound Sentence Worksheet Use FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to write one compound sentence using the two simple sentences. Peter drove to visit his friend. They went out for dinner. - Show  a sequence of eventsMary thinks she should go to school. She wants to get qualifications for a new profession. -  Provide a reasonAlan invested a lot of money in the business. The business went bankrupt. -  Show an unexpected resultDoug didnt understand the homework assignment. He asked the teacher for help. -  Show an action taken based on a reasonThe students didnt prepare for the test. They didnt realize how important the test was. -  Give a reasonSusan thinks she should stay home and relax. She also thinks she should go on vacation. -  Show additional informationThe doctors looked at the x-rays. They decided to operate on the patient. -  Show an action taken based on a reasonWe went out on the town. We came home late. -  Show a sequence of eventsJack flew to London to visit his Uncle. He also wanted to visit the National Museum. -  Show additionIt is sunny. It is very cold. -  Show a contrastHe nry studied very hard for the test. He passed with high marks. -  Provide a reasonI would like to play tennis today. If I dont play tennis, I would like to play golf. -  Give a choiceWe needed some food for the week. We went to the supermarket. -  Show an action taken based on a reasonTom asked his teacher for help. He also asked his parents for help. -  Show additionJanet doesnt like sushi. She doesnt like any kind of fish. -  Show that Susan doesnt like either sushi or fishPeter drove to visit his friend, and they went out for dinner.Mary thinks she should go to school, for she wants to get qualifications for a new profession.Alan invested a lot of money in the business, but the business went bankrupt.Doug didnt understand the homework assignment, so he asked the teacher for help.The students didnt prepare for the test, nor did they realize how important the test was.Susan thinks she should stay home and relax, or she should go on vacation.The doctors looked at the x-ray s, so they decided to operate on the patient.We went out on the town, and we came home late.Jack flew to London to visit his Uncle, and to visit the National Museum.It is sunny, but it is very cold.Henry studied very hard for the test, so passed with high marks.I would like to play tennis today, or I would like to play golf.We needed some food for the week, so We went to the supermarket.Tom asked his teacher for help, and he asked his parents.Janet doesnt like sushi, nor does she like any kind of fish. Other variations are possible than those provided in the answers.  Ask your teacher  for other ways to connect these to write compound sentences.