Welcome! Let's Build Stronger Sentences!

Hi there! Get ready to level up your English writing skills. In these notes, we're going to explore the building blocks of writing: simple and compound sentences.

Why is this important? Understanding how to build different types of sentences will make your writing clearer, more interesting, and more powerful. Instead of writing a lot of short, choppy sentences, you'll learn how to connect your ideas smoothly. Let's get started!

Part 1: The Simple Sentence - The Basic Building Block

What is a Simple Sentence?

A simple sentence is like a single, complete thought. It contains the most basic elements that make it a full sentence. It's the foundation for everything else we write!

Think of it like this: A simple sentence is a single LEGO brick. It's a complete, solid piece all on its own.


A Quick Refresher: What's in a Sentence?

For a sentence to be complete, it needs two key parts:

  • A Subject: This is the 'who' or 'what' the sentence is about.
  • A Verb: This is the 'action' or 'state of being'. It's what the subject is doing.

Example: The dog barked.
Subject: The dog
Verb: barked

This is a complete thought, so it's a simple sentence.


Examples of Simple Sentences

Notice how each of these expresses just ONE complete idea.

  • David plays football.
  • The sky is blue.
  • My sister and I went to the library. (This is still a simple sentence because there is only one action 'went'.)
  • The hungry cat meowed loudly.

Quick Review Box

A simple sentence MUST have:

  1. A subject (who or what).
  2. A verb (the action).
  3. A complete thought.

It is also called an independent clause because it can stand all by itself.


Key Takeaway for Part 1

A simple sentence is one complete thought. It's the starting point for all good writing. Once you master this, you're ready to connect your ideas!

Part 2: The Compound Sentence - Joining Ideas Together

What is a Compound Sentence?

A compound sentence is made by joining two simple sentences (two independent clauses) together. It allows you to connect two complete thoughts into one, longer sentence.

Analogy time! If a simple sentence is one LEGO brick, a compound sentence is like clicking two LEGO bricks together. You now have one bigger piece, but it's made of two complete, individual bricks.

Simple Sentence 1: I like music.
Simple Sentence 2: My brother likes sports.

Compound Sentence: I like music, but my brother likes sports.

See how we connected two separate ideas into one smooth sentence?

The Magic Connectors: Coordinating Conjunctions

To join two simple sentences correctly, you need a special "glue". This glue consists of two parts: a comma (,) and a special connecting word called a coordinating conjunction.

Don't worry, there are only seven of them to remember, and there's a super easy trick for it!

Memory Aid: FANBOYS

Just remember the word FANBOYS, and you'll remember all seven coordinating conjunctions.

  • F - for (means because)
  • A - and (joins similar ideas)
  • N - nor (joins two negative ideas)
  • B - but (shows a contrast)
  • O - or (shows a choice)
  • Y - yet (shows a contrast, similar to 'but')
  • S - so (shows a result or consequence)

The Super Important Formula!

Here is the secret recipe for a perfect compound sentence:

Simple Sentence 1 + , + FANBOYS Conjunction + Simple Sentence 2


Let's see FANBOYS in action:

For: I went to bed early, for I had an exam the next day.
And: He finished his homework, and he watched a movie.
Nor: She does not like tea, nor does she like coffee. (This one is a bit tricky! Notice the word order changes after 'nor'.)
But: The book was long, but it was very interesting.
Or: We can go to the cinema, or we can stay home.
Yet: It was raining, yet he decided to go for a walk.
So: Amy studied hard, so she passed the test easily.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: The Missing Comma.
Incorrect: He was tired but he kept working.
Correct: He was tired, but he kept working.
Always remember the comma before the FANBOYS word when joining two full sentences!

Mistake 2: The Run-on Sentence.
This happens when you smash two sentences together with no glue at all.
Incorrect: The bell rang everyone ran out of the classroom.
Correct: The bell rang, so everyone ran out of the classroom.

Did you know?

The word "conjunction" comes from two Latin words: 'con' which means "together", and 'jungere' which means "to join". So, a conjunction is literally a "together-joiner"! Cool, right?

Key Takeaway for Part 2

A compound sentence connects two complete thoughts using the formula: Simple Sentence + , + FANBOYS + Simple Sentence. Using them makes your writing sound more mature and less repetitive.

Let's Practise: Spot the Sentence!

Read the sentences below. Are they simple or compound? (Answers are at the bottom!)

  1. The children played in the park.
  2. It was a sunny day, but the wind was cold.
  3. You can have the apple, or you can have the orange.
  4. My favourite colour is green.
  5. The team played well, so they won the match.


Answers: 1. Simple, 2. Compound, 3. Compound, 4. Simple, 5. Compound

Chapter Summary

Wow, you've learned a lot! Let's do a final recap.

  • A simple sentence has one subject and one verb. It expresses a single complete thought. (e.g., The bird sang.)
  • A compound sentence joins two simple sentences together.
  • The magic formula is to use a comma and a FANBOYS conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). (e.g., The bird sang, and I listened happily.)
  • Mastering this will make your writing flow much better!

Great job! Keep practising, and soon you'll be building amazing sentences without even thinking about it. You're now a sentence-building expert!