New
New
Year 3

Using the comma rule in compound sentences

You can use the comma before "but" or "or" co-ordinating conjunctions in a compound sentence.

New
New
Year 3

Using the comma rule in compound sentences

You can use the comma before "but" or "or" co-ordinating conjunctions in a compound sentence.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense is called a main clause.
  2. Co-ordinating conjunctions join two main clauses to form a compound sentence.
  3. If the co-ordinating conjunction "but" or "or" is used, there must be a comma before it in a compound sentence.
  4. The comma tells the reader where the main clause demarcation is.
  5. Different co-ordinating conjunctions have different meanings.

Common misconception

Pupils add a word after the co-ordinating conjunction not a main clause.

A co-ordinating conjunction in a compound sentence must join two complete main clauses. Any main clause must make complete sense.

Keywords

  • Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense

  • Co-ordinating conjunction - a word that joins two main clauses to form a compound sentence

  • Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a joining word

  • Comma - a punctuation mark used before "but" or "or" co-ordinating conjunctions in a compound sentence

Use plenty of oral examples of main clauses to help pupils hear that a main clause makes complete sense.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a main clause?
a letter or group of letters at the end of a word which creates another word
a group of words with no verb
a sentence starter followed by a comma
Correct answer: a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Q2.
How many main clauses are most often in a compound sentence?
Correct Answer: two, 2, too, to, at least two
Q3.
What type of conjunction joins two main clauses in a compound sentence?
subordinating conjunction
formal conjunction
Correct answer: co-ordinating conjunction
Q4.
Which of these are co-ordinating conjunctions?
as
Correct answer: but
when
Correct answer: and
Correct answer: or
Q5.
Match the co-ordinating conjunction to its purpose.
Correct Answer:and,for building on

for building on

Correct Answer:but,for a positive and a negative

for a positive and a negative

Correct Answer:or,for an option or an effect

for an option or an effect

Q6.
Which co-ordinating conjunction would be best to link these two main clauses? You must take a raincoat __________ you will get wet.
and
Correct answer: or
but

6 Questions

Q1.
Which co-ordinating conjunction is best to join these two main clauses? Human stomachs contain acid __________ it is a safe acid.
or
and
Correct answer: but
Q2.
Which punctuation mark do you need before "but" and "or" co-ordinating conjunctions?
Correct answer: comma
exclamation mark
full stop
question mark
Q3.
How many main clauses are usually in a compound sentence?
1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
Q4.
Which co-ordinating conjunction is best to join these two main clauses? I love eating Italian food __________ I also enjoy Turkish dishes.
or
Correct answer: and
but
Q5.
What type of sentence is formed of at least two main clauses joined with a co-ordinating conjunction?
simple
Correct answer: compound
complex
Q6.
Which co-ordinating conjunction does not need a comma before it?
but
or
Correct answer: and