What is it called when two or more sentences are correctly written as one sentence?

Once you can identify a basic sentence, you can join or separate your sentences to best communicate your ideas.

A compound sentence joins two or more sentences that have related ideas of equal importance. The two sentences go together. Each sentence or independent clause must still have a subject and a verb.

For example:

She wanted spinach salad; he wanted a hamburger.

He went to the party, but she stayed home.

One way to create a compound sentence is with a semi-colon.

Not a common practice, a semi-colon is used only where ideas are very closely related.

For example:

She loves me; she loves me not.

They say it's your birthday; it's my birthday too! - Paul McCartney

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. - Peter Drucker

Another way to create a compound sentence is with a coordinating conjunction.

Coordinating conjunctions are sometimes referred to as FANBOYS. Notice how a comma is used with a coordinating conjunction.

For – He couldn't go home, for he had no place to go. 

And – I took a taxi, and she drove home.

Nor – He didn't want help, nor did she offer it.

But – I wanted to go late, but she wanted to go on time.

Or – She cooked dinner, or she went out to a restaurant.

Yet – She owned a car, yet she didn't know how to drive it.

So – She had to go, so she called a friend to drive her.

Common problems with compound sentences include commas splices.

A comma alone is not enough to connect two sentences.

For example:

Wrong – I was tired from working late, I had to go to class anyway.

Right – I was tired from working late; I had to go to class anyway.

Right – I was tired from working late, but I had to go to class anyway.

Common problems with compound sentences include fused sentences.

Sentences cannot just run together. They must be joined with a semi-colon or a coordinating conjunction.

For example:

Wrong – My brother just graduated from high school he will attend St. Petersburg College.

Right – My brother just graduated from high school; he will attend St. Petersburg College.

Right – My brother just graduated from high school, so he will attend St. Petersburg College.

Dual construction vs. the coordinating conjunction - or when to use the comma!

When combining sentences into a compound sentence, you need a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

For example:

I like peanut butter, and I like jelly.

He eats macaroni, but he won't eat cheese.

BUT when combining two nouns or verbs, you don't need a comma.

I like peanut butter and jelly.

He eats macaroni or cheese but not both.

A special use of semi-colons - the Conjunctive Adverb

Sometimes mistaken for a FANBOY, a conjunctive adverb actually joins two sentences with a semi-colon AND has additional punctuation inside the second sentence.

For example:

I hate spinach; however, I love broccoli.

I want to graduate with honors; furthermore, I want to go to law school.

I don't want to go out tonight; besides, I have homework to do.

 Some common conjunctive adverbs include accordingly, also, however, furthermore, nevertheless, consequently, finally, likewise, and meanwhile.

There is a problem with the television however no one is available to fix it.
Nobody knows what really happened the policeman said there was a fight.
That is the problem when people have conflict they attack each other personally.

There is a problem with the television; however, no one is available to fix it.
There is a problem with the television. However, no one is available to fix it.

Nobody knows what really happened; the policeman said there was a fight.
Nobody knows what really happened. The policeman said there was a fight.

That is the problem when people have conflict; they attack each other personally.
That is the problem when people have conflict. They attack each other personally.

Subject-Verb Agreement

In order for a sentence to be grammatically correct, the subject and verb must both be singular or plural. In other words, the subject and verb must agree with one another in their tense. If the subject is in plural form, the verb should also be in plur al form (and vice versa). To ensure subject-verb agreement, identify the main subject and verb in the sentence, then check to see if they are both plural or singular. Consider the examples below.

Incorrect examples - Subject-Verb Agreement

"The group of students are complaining about grades."
The main subject in this sentence is "group," which is singular. The main verb is "are complaining," which is plural.

"A recipe with more than six ingredients are too complicated."
The main subject in this sentence is "recipe," which is singular. The main verb is "are," which is plural.

"The facts in that complex case is questionable."
The main subject in this sentence is "facts," which is plural. The main verb, "is," is singular.

"The people is wearing formal attire."
The main subject in this sentence is "people," which is plural. The main verb is "is wearing," which is singular.

Correct examples

"The group of students is complaining about grades."
"A recipe with more than six ingredients is too complicated."
"The facts in that complex case are questionable."
"The people are wearing formal attire."

A variation of the subject-verb agreement is pronoun-reference agreement. In the case of pronoun-reference agreement, all of the pronouns should agree with one another in singular or plural tense. Consider the examples below.

Incorrect examples - Pronoun-Reference Agreement

"A manager should always be honest with their employees."
The subject in this sentence, "manager," is singular. The corresponding pronoun, "their," is plural.

"Organizations must be careful about discriminating against its employees."

The subject in this sentence is "organizations," which is plural. The corresponding pronoun, "its," is singular.

"If you really care about somebody, let them make their own choices."
In this sentence, the pronoun "somebody" is singular, but the corresponding pronouns, "them" and "their" are plural.

Correct examples

"A manager should always be honest with his (or her) employees."
"Organizations must be careful about discriminating against their employees."
"If you really care about somebody, let him (or her) make his (or her) own choices."

Parallel Structure

The parallel structure of a sentence refers to the extent to which different parts of the sentence match each other in form. When more than one phrase or description is used in a sentence, those phrases or descriptions should be consistent with one an other in their form and wording. Parallel structure is important because it enhances the ease with which the reader can follow the writer's idea. Consider the following examples.

Incorrect examples - Parallel Structure

Example One: "He is strong and a tough competitor."
Notice that "strong" and "a tough competitor" are not the in the same form. "Strong" and "competitive" are consistent in form.

Example Two: "The new coach is a smart strategist, an effective manager, and works hard."
Notice that "a smart strategist" and "an effective manager" are consistent with one another, but not consistent with "works hard."

Example Three: "In the last minute of the game, John intercepted the football, evaded the tacklers, and a touchdown was scored."
Notice that the first two phrases in this sentence are consistent with one another: "intercepted the football" and "evaded the tacklers." However, the final phrase, "and a touchdown was scored" is not consistent with the first two phrases. Correct examples

Example One: "He is strong and competitive."
Example Two: "The new coach is a smart strategist, an effective manager, and a hard worker."
Example Three: "In the last minute of the game, John intercepted the football, evaded the tacklers, and scored a touchdown."

What is it called when two sentences are combined?

What do we call the sentence in which two or more sentences are written as one without punctuation?

What is a punctuated compound sentence?

What is an example of a fused sentence?