How to Label a Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of a conjunction and at least two nouns and two verbs.

A compound sentence consists of two complete thoughts that are joined with a linking word, but can stand alone and still make sense. English teachers often require students to label the parts of compound sentences to help them grow more familiar with the structure of these complex sentence types. As an English student, you must know how to recognize the parts of speech found in every compound sentence to complete the exercise.

Instructions

1. Identify the conjunction, or linking word, joining the two independent clauses that make up the compound sentence. The conjunction is always preceded by a comma and has a complete thought capable of standing on its own on either side. The word "and," for example, is the conjunction in the compound sentence, "My sister ordered pizza, and I ate a burger." Common conjunctions include "and," "but," "or," "nor," "yet," "so" and "while."

2. Check that you have chosen the correct word as the conjunction by testing to see if there are two complete thoughts on either side. In the above example, "My sister ordered pizza" and "I ate a burger" can both stand alone as complete sentences, so it is likely that "and" is the correct choice. Write "conj." above the conjunction to label it as such.

3. Identify the verb, or action word, in each of the independent clauses located to either side of the conjunction. Write "verb" or "v." for short above each. Continuing with the above example, "ordered" is the verb for the independent clause to the left of the conjunction, and "ate" is the verb for the independent clause to the right. Both of these terms name actions.

4. Identify the subject, usually a noun, for each of the two independent clauses on either side of the conjunction. Write "subj." or "s." above each. The subject performs the action in a clause. Continuing with the above example, "sister" is the subject for the clause before the conjunction since "sister" performs the action, or "ordered." "I" is the subject for the second independent clause since "I" performs the action, or "ate."

References

• Empire State College: Compound Sentences
• University of Ottawa Writing Center; The Structure of a Sentence; David Megginson