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Lesson 247

Parts of the Sentence - Compound Sentences

A clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause is always used as some part of speech. It can be an adjective, adverb, or noun. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.

A phrase is a group of words used as a sentence part. It does not have a subject and a verb. It can be a noun, adjective or adverb. We have studied the following phrases: prepositional, gerund, participial, and infinitive.

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.) Example: She talks and he listens. A semicolon can take the place of the conjunction and comma. Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.

Instructions: Tell if the following sentences are good combinations.

1. Mr. Jones is a very short man, but he walks with an air of authority.

2. Today has been very warm, and I have some English lessons to write.

3. I have again been to Mexico, but I don't expect to return soon.

4. My dog is a short, stupid-looking dog, but he is very smart.

5. The mail comes about noon each day, and I need to weed the flowers.

--For answers scroll down.