How happy are we as parents when our little ones start speaking in full sentences? Slowly they start combining several words and even multiple sentences to convey something. This is a very big step in their language development, where you must introduce your child to compound sentences. But what are these?
In this article, we have covered some information on compound sentences for preschoolers that will help them learn and enhance their understanding of compound sentences. Let’s begin!
What Is Compound Sentence?
Here is the meaning of the compound sentence for children.
It is a sentence that helps connect two independent clauses generally with a coordinating conjunction. So, if you have to answer the classic question of ‘What does a compound sentence contain?’ You can say it contains words such as “but” or “and”. Compound sentences simply makes the written sentence look more sophisticated and informative.
Formation Of A Compound Sentence
If you are confused about how to make a compound sentence, the compound sentence rules mentioned below will help you teach your little one. These rules will help them know the most common problem faced while forming a long, unclear sentence. Let’s read!
- Make sure that your child understands that compound sentences are a combination of more than one main clause. Therefore, they can start by themselves, try a few and pass it off as a complete and meaningful sentence.
- Teach your child to add a comma before the coordinating conjunction that links the two clauses.
- If you are forming a compound sentence without using a coordinating conjunction, place a semicolon between the two main clauses.
- Only capitalise the first letter of the first word of the compound sentence. If a proper noun is used in a sentence, you can capitalise that.
- If you use conjunctive adverbs like meanwhile, however, anyway, otherwise, etc., to combine two independent clauses to make a compound sentence, then use a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
How To Identify A Compound Sentence?
Now that your little one knows how to form compound sentences let’s read how to identify them.
- Always remember that a compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses.
- Look out for the words, phrases or clauses that are linked by a conjunction. If it combines two or more independent clauses, it can be a compound sentence.
- Read the sentences given below to have a clear idea of compound sentences. These sentences show how conjunctions can be used to link two words.
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- I like decorating Christmas trees, and I would love to go shopping for ornaments.
- Are you coming with me, or are you going to the library?
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- If you remove the conjunctions from these sentences and you will get two independent clauses or two complete sentences.
Compound Sentence Examples
To make it easy for your little one to understand what compound sentences are, here are some examples of the same. These examples will help kids learn how to form meaningful and well-written compound sentences.
- Compound Sentences With a Coordinating Conjunction
– I am ready to go, but my sister has not yet reached home.
– James did not complete his work, so the teacher punished him.
– My sister will have to drop me off, or I cannot make it to the party. - Compound Sentences Without A Conjunction– The dress is too short; I don’t think I am going to buy this one.
– He likes DC movies; he can probably watch all of them in one stretch.
– Try to focus on your work; everyone else is working hard and improving themselves. - Compound Sentences With A Conjunctive Adverb– It was not easy to do the task; however, Megha completed it.
– We have to complete it; otherwise, we will face a lot of trouble.
– The cleaning work was being done by all the children; meanwhile, we found a way to sort out their cupboard.
Conjunctions In Compound Sentences with Examples
The conjunction in compound sentences helps to add meaning to speech or writing. Some of the conjunctions that can be inserted in compound sentences are:
- And
- Therefore
- However
- But
- Yet
- Although
- By the time
- In as much
- Since
- Because
How Are Compound Sentences Taught To Kids
Sometimes, it is difficult for kids to grasp a concept. In such cases, we have to make the learning process easy for kids. Let’s take a look at two simple ways to teach compound sentences:
1. Tell your child that a sentence is made up of an independent clause that can stand alone.
- For example, “Kabir ran fast” and “Naman came last”. Once your child has a firm grasp on what an independent clause is, move on to explain conjunctions. Explain to them that a conjunction is a word that links two independent clauses to form a compound sentence.
- For example, “Kabir ran fast, so Naman came last.” Tell them that “so” is the conjunction here. Then teach your child where to use it in a compound sentence. Explain to them that a compound sentence needs a comma if there are more than two items in a series, and the comma goes before the conjunction.
- For example, “Kabir, Kunal, and Naman are fast runners.” Here “and” is the conjunction; therefore, the comma goes before it.
2. To easily make your child learn compound sentences, you can introduce them to the acronym “FANBOYS,” which stands for “for”, “and”, “nor”, “but”, “or”, “yet”, and “so”. These are the most common coordinating conjunctions that are used while writing. You can make your child memorise these words, and they’ll easily be able to identify and write compound sentences using them. To make your child memorise “FANBOYS”, ask them to chant it; slowly, they will learn it by heart. You can also make them attempt several activities like finding the FANBOYS in a sentence, etc.
Teaching your little one compound sentences may sound a little challenging at first, but there are lots of ways that can help them learn basic compound sentence construction. Strict to simple instructions and only move to complex sentences once your child is ready. Let your child take their time, be patient with them, and allow them to have fun while learning.
Also Read:
High Frequency Words for Children
Transition Words for Kids with Activities
Introducing Number Sentence to Kindergarten and Kids
