Compound Sentences: Comma and Coordinating Conjunction — Grade 6
Grade 6 grammar worksheet that drills joining two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction to form compound sentences.
Compound sentences give writers a powerful tool for showing how ideas connect — whether two events happen together, one causes another, or two facts stand in contrast. This worksheet focuses on the rule that Grade 6 students most frequently get wrong: a compound sentence must use both a comma and a coordinating conjunction to link its two independent clauses. A comma alone creates a comma splice; a conjunction alone creates a run-on. The four sections move from recognition to production. Students first identify conjunctions in complex sentences, then choose answers that require them to distinguish compound sentences from simple sentences with compound predicates, then correct punctuation errors, and finally write their own compound sentences. Work through the sections in order for the best results.
Compound Sentences: Comma and Coordinating Conjunction — Grade 6
In this worksheet, you will identify, analyze, and write compound sentences formed by joining two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Remember
- A compound sentence joins two independent clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
- The coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so — remember FANBOYS.
- Place the comma before the conjunction, not after it: 'She studied hard, so she passed.'
Part A — Identify the Coordinating Conjunction
Circle the coordinating conjunction that joins the two independent clauses in each compound sentence.
- 1.
The science team analyzed the data carefully, yet the results remained inconclusive after several trials.
- 2.
Aaliya prepared an outline for her history essay, but she struggled to find reliable sources online.
- 3.
The city council proposed a new recycling program, and local businesses agreed to participate in the initiative.
- 4.
Marcus could study for the geography quiz after dinner, or he could review his notes during lunch period.
- 5.
Priya's experiment produced unexpected chemical reactions, so the teacher extended the lab period by fifteen minutes.
- 6.
The documentary explored ancient trade routes in detail, for the director wanted audiences to understand early commerce.
Part B — Choose the Correct Answer
Read each question carefully and circle the letter of the correct answer.
- 7.
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
- a)Teodora researched and wrote her entire report about climate change in one afternoon.
- b)The hurricane damaged the coastal town, but rescue teams arrived within hours of the storm.
- c)Running through the rain without an umbrella, Kwame arrived at school completely soaked.
- 8.
Which sentence uses correct punctuation to form a compound sentence?
- a)The museum reopened after renovations and visitors lined up around the block to enter.
- b)The museum reopened after renovations, and visitors lined up around the block to enter.
- c)The museum reopened after renovations, and, visitors lined up around the block to enter.
- 9.
Which sentence is a comma splice?
- a)The principal announced the new schedule, but many students were confused by the changes.
- b)The principal announced the new schedule, many students were confused by the changes.
- c)The principal announced the new schedule but many students were confused by the changes.
- 10.
Which revision correctly fixes this run-on: 'Zara finished her novel she immediately started reading another one.'
- a)Zara finished her novel, she immediately started reading another one.
- b)Zara finished her novel, so she immediately started reading another one.
- c)Zara finished her novel so she immediately started reading another one.
- 11.
Which of the following is NOT a compound sentence?
- a)The hiking trail was steep and treacherous, but the view from the summit made it worthwhile.
- b)Scientists discovered a new species of insect, for the rainforest still holds many secrets.
- c)The student council president organized the fundraiser and donated half the proceeds to charity.
Part C — Rewrite the Sentence
Each sentence is missing a comma before its coordinating conjunction. Rewrite each sentence correctly.
- 12.
The veterinarian examined the injured bird carefully but she could not determine the precise cause of its condition.
- 13.
Students at Riverside Middle School can join the robotics club or they may sign up for the coding workshop instead.
- 14.
The school newspaper published its monthly issue on Friday and the students eagerly read the feature article.
- 15.
Tomasz reviewed his notes on the water cycle yet the quiz questions still seemed surprisingly difficult to him.
- 16.
Rosa could not locate the primary source for her argument so she asked the librarian for research guidance.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence
Follow each prompt to write your own compound sentence using the rule you have practiced.
- 17.
Write a compound sentence using 'but' that joins two independent clauses showing a contrast in ideas.
- 18.
Write a compound sentence about a science or social studies topic using any coordinating conjunction.
Answer key
Part A — Identify the Coordinating Conjunction
- 1.yet
- 2.but
- 3.and
- 4.or
- 5.so
- 6.for
Part B — Choose the Correct Answer
- 7.The hurricane damaged the coastal town, but rescue teams arrived within hours of the storm.
- 8.The museum reopened after renovations, and visitors lined up around the block to enter.
- 9.The principal announced the new schedule, many students were confused by the changes.
- 10.Zara finished her novel, so she immediately started reading another one.
- 11.The student council president organized the fundraiser and donated half the proceeds to charity.
Part C — Rewrite the Sentence
- 12.The veterinarian examined the injured bird carefully, but she could not determine the precise cause of its condition.
- 13.Students at Riverside Middle School can join the robotics club, or they may sign up for the coding workshop instead.
- 14.The school newspaper published its monthly issue on Friday, and the students eagerly read the feature article.
- 15.Tomasz reviewed his notes on the water cycle, yet the quiz questions still seemed surprisingly difficult to him.
- 16.Rosa could not locate the primary source for her argument, so she asked the librarian for research guidance.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence
- 17.Example: The team practiced daily after school, but the tournament was postponed due to unexpected weather.
- 18.Example: The Amazon River carries more freshwater than any other river, for it drains the vast Amazon rainforest.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify the coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses in compound sentences.
- Distinguish compound sentences from simple sentences that contain a compound predicate.
- Write original compound sentences that correctly join two independent clauses.
Notes for the grown-up
- Students often omit the comma before the conjunction or place it after the conjunction instead of before it.
- When correcting comma splices, ask the student what relationship the two clauses have before choosing a conjunction.
- A student is ready to move on when they can reliably distinguish a compound sentence from a simple sentence with a compound predicate.
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