Using Independent Clauses

An independent clause has a subject and a verb, expresses a compete thought, and can stand alone as a simple sentence.

I love to travel.

An independent clause can have a compound subject—two or more subjects joined by and or or.

My family and I head to Mount Rushmore.

An independent clause can also have a compound predicate—two or more verb phrases joined by and or or.

We visit Devil's Tower and camp in Yellowstone.

Even with a compound subject and a compound predicate, the independent clause still is just a simple sentence, expressing one complete thought.

My brother and I hike the trails and watch for bison.

You can connect two simple sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). The result is a compound sentence.

Afterward, we head to the Grand Tetons. We move on to Lake Tahoe.

Afterward, we head to the Grand Tetons, and we move on to Lake Tahoe.

You can also join the sentences by using just a semicolon.

Afterward, we head to the Grand Tetons; we move on to Lake Tahoe.

A conjunctive adverb (such as then, afterward, certainly, otherwise, consequently) is not strong enough to join two sentences with just a comma. Instead, place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.

The lake is high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains; consequently, it has famous ski slopes as well as beaches.

Conjunctive Adverbs

accordingly	also	anyway	besides	certainly
consequently	finally	furthermore	however	indeed
instead	likewise	meanwhile	nevertheless	next
nonetheless	otherwise	rather	similarly	still
subsequently	then	thereby	therefore	thus

Create compound sentences.

Combine each pair of sentences into a compound sentence using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or a semicolon. You can also use a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb and a comma. Make a copy of this Google doc.

We travel to California. Our route turns south along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway.
(Answers will vary.) We travel to California; afterward, our route turns south along the gorgeous Pacific Coast Highway.
L.A. offers the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We hear the Philharmonic in the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
(Answers will vary.) L.A. offers the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and we hear the Philharmonic in the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The pandas at the San Diego Zoo are hilarious. The food at Filippi's is delicious.
(Answers will vary.) The pandas at the San Diego Zoo are hilarious, and the food at Filippi's is delicious.
Our route turns east to the Grand Canyon. We hadn't realized just how grand a canyon!
(Answers will vary.) Our route turns east to the Grand Canyon, yet we hadn't realized just how grand a canyon!
Bryce Canyon also is spectacular. It is much easier to climb through than the Grand Canyon.
(Answers will vary.) Bryce Canyon also is spectacular; nonetheless, it is much easier to climb through than the Grand Canyon.
We travel to the Garden of the Gods. It has amazing vertical sandstone formations.
(Answers will vary.) We travel to the Garden of the Gods; it has amazing vertical sandstone formations.
We head through the Sonoran Desert. The Sonoran Desert Museum is closed for renovations.
(Answers will vary.) We head through the Sonoran Desert, but the Sonoran Desert Museum is closed for renovations.
We visit the San Xavier Mission. Next, we head east to New Mexico.
(Answers will vary.) We visit the San Xavier Mission; next, we head east to New Mexico.
Carlsbad Caverns are truly awe-inspiring. They descend a mile into the ground and are as wide as a football field.
(Answers will vary.) Carlsbad Caverns are truly awe-inspiring, for they descend a mile into the ground and are as wide as a football field.
We wander San Antonio's famed River Walk. Afterward, we tour the Alamo.
(Answers will vary.) We wander San Antonio's famed River Walk; afterward, we tour the Alamo.

Fix compound sentences.

Rework each poorly formed compound sentence below. You may need to add a comma, a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), a semicolon, a conjunctive adverb, or some combination of these. Make a copy of this Google doc.

Conjunctive Adverbs

accordingly	also	anyway	besides	certainly
consequently	finally	furthermore	however	indeed
instead	likewise	meanwhile	nevertheless	next
nonetheless	otherwise	rather	similarly	still
subsequently	then	thereby	therefore	thus

I often think about superpowers flight seems like it would be the best.
(Answers will vary.) I often think about superpowers; flight seems like it would be the best.
I would enjoy soaring above rooftops and looking at natural wonders and everyone would marvel at me.
(Answers will vary.) I would enjoy soaring above rooftops and looking at natural wonders, and everyone would marvel at me.
Still, flight has its hazards airplanes and drones are everywhere.
(Answers will vary.) Still, flight has its hazards, for airplanes and drones are everywhere.
It would be dangerous to fly through a storm, lightning could strike.
(Answers will vary.) It would be dangerous to fly through a storm; lightning could strike.
I would still like the superpower of flight I would also need invulnerability.
(Answers will vary.) I would still like the superpower of flight, but I would also need invulnerability.
Invulnerability might be its own problem what if I needed surgery?
(Answers will vary.) Invulnerability might be its own problem; what if I needed surgery?
Would the doctors be able to cut into me would they be able to stitch me up afterward?
(Answers will vary.) Would the doctors be able to cut into me, and would they be able to stitch me up afterward?
Perhaps an invulnerable person never needs surgery, nothing would go wrong inside if I were invulnerable.
(Answers will vary.) Perhaps an invulnerable person never needs surgery, for nothing would go wrong inside if I were invulnerable.
Does being invulnerable mean I'm also immortal would I just live forever?
(Answers will vary.) Does being invulnerable mean I'm also immortal; would I just live forever?
The sun would eventually engulf the Earth I would have to fly away to another planet.
(Answers will vary.) The sun would eventually engulf the Earth, and I would have to fly away to another planet.

Use compound sentences.

Write ten simple sentences about superpowers that interest you. Combine them into five compound sentences. Make sure they are correctly punctuated and use the right connecting words.