English 114:Basic Principles of Reading and Writing

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English 114Basic Principles of Reading and
Writing

• Prof. Mercedes Torres Almodóvar
• Lesson 4

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Sentence Construction

• Compound Sentence
• gives equal weight to two closely related ideas
• composed of two simple sentences
• joined together by a comma (,) and a coordinating
  conjunction

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Example

• I havent done the research paper, nor
• have I finished the required lab work.

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Compound sentence

• I havent done the research paper, nor
• have I finished the required lab work.
• I havent done the research paper.
• I havent finished the required lab work.

Two negative sentences
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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• and- used to connect sentences that are similar
  or alike
• Maria is studying education, and Juan is
• studying business administration.
• Maria is studying education.
• Juan is studying business administration.

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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• but- used to connect sentences that have opposite
  meaning or show contrast
• Pedro lives in Ponce, but he hates the hot
• weather.
• Pedro lives in Ponce.
• He hates the hot weather.

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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• so- used when the second sentence expresses the
  result of the situation described in the first
  sentence
• There was no electricity, so our classes were
  canceled.
• There was no electricity.
• Our classes were canceled.

The result of the situation
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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• or- used with sentences that give choices or
  alternatives
• We can go to Culebra, or we can
• stay in Vieques.
• We can go to Culebra.
• We can stay in Vieques.

Alternatives
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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• for- used to introduce a reason or cause it
  means because
• I travel on airplanes, for Im not afraid of
  heights.
• I travel on airplanes.
• Im not afraid of heights.

Reason or cause Answers WHY?
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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• yet- used to show contrast or to join opposites
  it is used when the second sentence says
  something unexpected
• Luis doesnt study very often, yet
• he obtained an A on his test.
• Luis doesnt study very often.
• He obtained an A on his test.

Unexpected outcome
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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• nor- used to join two negative sentences it
  means not this and not that
• I cant swim, nor can I ride a bicycle.
• I cant swim.
• I cant ride a bicycle.

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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• Practice Exercise. Correct the following
  sentences.
• 1. Jose studies law but his wife studies
  medicine.
• 2. There is a quiz tomorrow. I must study
  tonight.
• 3. Sara is visiting her grandmother at the
  hospital yet she is very sick.
• 4. The dog is hungry. He wont eat his food.
• 5. I love pizza, Im on a diet.

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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• Complete the following sentences using a
  coordinating conjunction
• Theres nobody to type the letters
  ____________________________________
• I dont need this job ____________________________
  ________
• She will call you from her house
  ____________________________________
• We should take a trip to the Bahamas
  ____________________________________
• There were few people at the supermarket
  ____________________________________

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Usage of Coordinating Conjunctions

• Identify the following sentences as simple,
  compound or
• fragment.
• Puerto Rico is beautiful and enchanting.
• A product must be marked correctly, or people
  will not buy it.
• The boy in the red sweater.
• I was raised in Ponce, but I live in San Juan.
• My father and my brother got up early this
  morning, for they were going to San Juan.
• Luis, my best friend.
• The weather was awful, so they canceled the
  picnic.
• Is going to take the test tomorrow.

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References

• Donnell, T. (1993). Independent Writing. Boston
  Heinle Heinle
• Ellis et.al. (1998). Write On! A
  Grammar-Composition Workbook. Puerto Rico
  Editorial Plaza Mayor.