1. Writing 101
Changing Simple into Compound
Sentences

2. Learning Objectives

Further develops the basic elements of SVO by
creating a variety of sentence structures.

Enhance the overall readability of your story.

3. Introduction

If you recall, simple sentences are S-V-O type:
S (Subject) + V (Verb) + O (Object)
without any conjunctions or connectors.

They are fine as they are grammatically correct
until you use them side-by-side in a story...
1) The boy checked his watch. He looked around
for suspicious characters. He began walking
towards the corner.

Q: How do you feel reading such stories?

4. Better Sentence Structures needed

The boy's actions are conveyed, but in gaps and
stops!

With the help of connectors or conjunctions,
you can put two simple sentences together.

These conjunctions are called FANBOYS:
for , and , nor , but , or , yet , so

These help you to form a compound sentence
– two simple sentences together.

5. Using Conjunctions

From the earlier example, “The boy checked his
watch. He looked down the street. He began
walking towards the corner.”

to: “Checking his watch, the boy looked around
for suspicious characters and walked towards
the corner.”

The information is the same, but this time
without the stops and gaps.

It is presented in one series of events!

6. A Compound Sentence

A compound sentence as you have seen, are
joined by any of the FANBOYS connectors.

You can also write: “Checking his watch, the
boy walked towards the corner but he was still
on the lookout for suspicious characters.”

So, it depends on how you want to present your
ideas – whether as an addition ('and') or as a
contrast ('but').

7. Strengthening it further

If you can include meaningful adjectives and
adverbs to your sentences, with the help of
conjunctions, your sentences will be even better.

“Checking his wrist (adjective) watch the boy
walked silently (adverb) towards the dark
(adjective) corner but he was still on the lookout
for suspicious characters.”

8. Learning Activity

With the sentences below, combine them using
descriptions (with adj and adv) and
conjunctions to make it better. Take note not to
add unnecessary details.
1) He returned home late.
2) He kept his movements to the minimum.
3) He was noticed by the neighbour.

Hint: You may add details to enhance the story.

9. Learning Activity Suggested Answer

Returning home late, Alex walked to the front
door slowly but he was still noticed by the next-
door neighbour.

We have used:
1) slowly (adverb)
2) but (FANBOY connector)
3) still (adverb)
4) next-door (adjective)

10. Discussion

What do we use to change our simple sentences
to compound sentences?

What's the effect of such a change?

What can we do to enhance this effect?

11. In Summary

We use conjunctions in the form of FANBOYS
to help us combine simple sentences.

It will increase the variety of sentences we have
in our writing for a better read.

In addition, we can also use descriptions – with
adjectives and adverbs – to enhance our
sentences' effectiveness.