Home >> Science & Nature >> The Occult

How to Use a Comma in a Compound Sentence

Once you understand what a compound sentence is, learning how to use a comma in one is easy. You don't have to memorize any lengthy rules, and you'll learn to spot misplaced commas immediately. Here's how to use this versatile punctuation mark.

Instructions

- 1
  Remember the definition of a compound sentence. This sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.
- 2
  Understand the role of the independent clause. This clause consists of a complete thought and could form a sentence on its own. Study the example in this sentence: "The boy walked home to the house on the hill by the brook. "The boy walked home" is an independent clause.
- 3
  Insert a coordinating conjunction. A coordinating conjunction joins two clauses of equal importance. The most common coordinating conjunctions are "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet" and "so." "While" also can be used as a coordinating conjunction.
- 4
  Use a comma to connect two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. For example: "While you were out, the milk curdled." Another example would be, "I tried to tell her I loved her, but I had a mouthful of peanut butter at the time."

The Occult