What is a Compound Sentence Comma?: Definition and Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

🔍 A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. ➕ Independent clauses are clauses that can stand alone as a sentence. 📝 Independent clauses are joined by:
📌 A coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet) preceded by a comma. Example: *I went to the store, and I bought milk.* 📌 A semicolon. Example: *I went to the store; I bought milk.* 📌 A conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, etc.) preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. Example: *I went to the store; therefore, I bought milk.*
💡 The comma is crucial when using a coordinating conjunction to avoid run-on sentences. 🚫 Do not use a comma if you only have one subject in the sentence. *I went to the store and bought milk.* (No comma needed!).

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the correct way to punctuate the compound sentence: "I wanted to go to the park but it started raining"?
1. I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
2. I wanted to go to the park but, it started raining.
3. I wanted to go to the park but it started raining,
4. I wanted to go to the park but it started raining.
2. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma in a compound sentence.
1. She studied hard so she passed the exam.
2. She studied hard, so she passed the exam.
3. She studied hard, so, she passed the exam.
4. She studied hard, so she, passed the exam.
3. Which sentence does *not* require a comma?
1. The cat sat on the mat and purred loudly.
2. The cat sat on the mat, and purred loudly.
3. The cat sat on the mat but the dog remained still.
4. The cat sat on the mat, but the dog remained still.
4. Select the correct sentence that uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction.
1. He likes to swim or he likes to bike.
2. He likes to swim, or, he likes to bike.
3. He likes to swim, or he likes to bike.
4. He likes to swim or, he likes to bike.
5. Identify the correctly punctuated sentence.
1. We can go to the movies or we can stay home.
2. We can go to the movies, or, we can stay home.
3. We can go to the movies, or we can stay home.
4. We can go to the movies or, we can stay home.
6. Which of the following sentences requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction?
1. I enjoy reading books and drinking coffee.
2. I enjoy reading books, and drinking coffee.
3. I enjoy reading books and I drink coffee.
4. I enjoy reading books I drink coffee.
7. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
1. She wanted to travel the world, but she didn't have enough money.
2. She wanted to travel the world but she didn't have enough money.
3. She wanted to travel the world but, she didn't have enough money.
4. She wanted to travel the world, but, she didn't have enough money.