The Compound Predicate as a Word-saver

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The Compound Predicate as a Word-saver

• Lesson 10
• Joseph C. Blumenthal

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In a compound sentence, the conjunction and,
but, or or stands between two word groups, each
with a subject and a predicate.

• Hank swung the ball, but he missed it by a
  foot.

What is the subject of the part of the sentence
that follows the conjunction but?
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In a compound sentence, the conjunction and,
but, or or stands between two word groups, each
with a subject and a predicate.

• Hank swung the ball, but he missed it by a
  foot.

What is the subject of the part of the sentence
that follows the conjunction but? he
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• Hank swung the ball, but (he) missed it by a
  foot.

Would this sentence still make good sense if we
omitted the subject he that follows the
conjunction? (yes, no)
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• Hank swung the ball, but (he) missed it by a
  foot.

Would this sentence still make good sense if we
omitted the subject he that follows the
conjunction? (yes, no)
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• Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

This is no longer a compound sentence because,
after the conjunction but, we now have only a
(subject, predicate).
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• Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

This is no longer a compound sentence because,
after the conjunction but, we now have only a
(subject, predicate).
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• Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

This sentence has two predicates. Each predicate
makes a statement about the same subject, _____.
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• Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

This sentence has two predicates. Each predicate
makes a statement about the same subject, Hank .
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• a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it by a
  foot.
• b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

Sentence a is a compound sentence because the
conjunction but connects two sentences. Sentence
b is a simple sentence with a compound predicate
because the conjunction but connects two ________.
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• a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it by a
  foot.
• b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

Sentence a is a compound sentence because the
conjunction but connects two sentences. Sentence
b is a simple sentence with a compound predicate
because the conjunction but connects two
predicates.
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A careful writer streamlines his writing by
eliminating all useless words. Words that add
nothing to the meaning, clearness, or interest of
a sentence should be dropped.

• a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it by a
  foot.
• b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

Which sentence says the same thing in fewer
words? (a, b)
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A careful writer streamlines his writing by
eliminating all useless words. Words that add
nothing to the meaning, clearness, or interest of
a sentence should be dropped.

• a. Hank swung the ball, but he missed it by a
  foot.
• b. Hank swung the ball but missed it by a foot.

Which sentence says the same thing in fewer
words? (a, b)
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up into a
  tree.

What is the subject of the part of the sentence
which follows the conjunction and? ____
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up into a
  tree.

What is the subject of the part of the sentence
which follows the conjunction and? _it_
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up into a
  tree.

Would this sentence still make good sense if we
omitted the subject it, which follows the
conjunction? (yes, no)
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up into a
  tree.

Would this sentence still make good sense if we
omitted the subject it, which follows the
conjunction? (yes, no)
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up into a
  tree.

Our word-saving device does not work here because
each predicate makes a statement about (a
different, the same) subject.
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and it flew up into a
  tree.

Our word-saving device does not work here because
each predicate makes a statement about (a
different, the same) subject.
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• Hank swung at the ball, but he mislead it by a
  foot.

We can change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate because both
predicates make statements about the same person,
________.
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• Hank swung at the ball, but he mislead it by a
  foot.

We can change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate because both
predicates make statements about the same person,
__Hank__.
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and (it) flew up into
  a tree.

We cannot change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate because the
first predicate makes a statement about Bobby,
and the second predicate makes a statement about
_______.
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• Bobby frightened the bird, and (it) flew up into
  a tree.

We cannot change this compound sentence to a
sentence with a compound predicate because the
first predicate makes a statement about Bobby,
and the second predicate makes a statement about
it or bird.
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We can change a compound sentence to a sentence
with a compound predicate only when both
predicates make statements about the _______
subject.
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We can change a compound sentence to a sentence
with a compound predicate only when both
predicates make statements about the __same__
subject.
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The students went to England by boat. They
returned by plane.
In combining these two sentences, which word
would you omit? ________
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The students went to England by boat. They
returned by plane.
In combining these two sentences, which word
would you omit? __They___
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• The coach went to the blackboard, and he drew a
  diagram of the play.
• The curtain went up, and the show began.

Which compound sentence can be changed to a
sentence with a compound predicate because both
predicates make statements about the same
subject? (a, b)
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• The coach went to the blackboard, and he drew a
  diagram of the play.
• The curtain went up, and the show began.

Which compound sentence can be changed to a
sentence with a compound predicate because both
predicates make statements about the same
subject? (a, b)
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The coach went to the blackboard, and he drew a
diagram of the play. The curtain went up, and
the show began.
When we change a compound sentence to a sentence
with a compound predicate, we (keep, drop) the
comma.
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The coach went to the blackboard, and he drew a
diagram of the play. The curtain went up, and
the show began.
When we change a compound sentence to a sentence
with a compound predicate, we (keep, drop) the
comma.
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• We won our first game, but we lost the second.
• We won our first game but lost our second.

No comma is used before a conjunction that
connects two parts of a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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• We won our first game, but we lost the second.
• We won our first game but lost our second.

No comma is used before a conjunction that
connects two parts of a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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• We heard a voice, but we couldnt recognize it.
• We heard a voice, but couldnt recognize it.

In which sentence should the comma before the
conjunction be dropped because it is not a
compound sentence? (a, b)
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• We heard a voice, but we couldnt recognize it.
• We heard a voice, but couldnt recognize it.

In which sentence should the comma before the
conjunction be dropped because it is not a
compound sentence? (a, b)
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• A large tree had fallen and was blocking traffic.
• A large tree had fallen and traffic was slowed
  down.

In which sentence should a comma be inserted
before the conjunction? (a, b)
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• A large tree had fallen and was blocking traffic.
• A large tree had fallen and traffic was slowed
  down.

In which sentence should a comma be inserted
before the conjunction? (a, b)
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The teacher liked the movie. She urged her
classes to see it.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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The teacher liked the movie. She urged her
classes to see it.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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The teacher liked the movie and urged her classes
to see it.
Should a comma be inserted before the conjunction
and? (yes, no)
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The teacher liked the movie and urged her classes
to see it.
Should a comma be inserted before the conjunction
and? (yes, no)
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We have good traffic laws. They are strictly
enforced.
If you were to combine these two sentences, you
would need to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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We have good traffic laws. They are strictly
enforced.
If you were to combine these two sentences, you
would need to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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We have good traffic laws and they are strictly
enforced.
Should a comma be inserted before the conjunction
and? (yes, no)
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We have good traffic laws and they are strictly
enforced.
Should a comma be inserted before the conjunction
and? (yes, no)
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The crowded bus stopped. It took on still more
people.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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The crowded bus stopped. It took on still more
people.
If you were to combine these two sentences, it
would be better to use a compound (sentence,
predicate).
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• Write the following answers on your own sheet of
  paper.

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In this and the following frames, combine each
pair of sentences, using a compound predicate
whenever possible. Indicate your answer by
writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Garvey made a two-base hit. The ball game was
over. 1. ________ _______ ________
Insert any necessary comma.
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Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound
predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer
by writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Paul wanted a date. He was too timid to ask. 2.
________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a compound
sentence.
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Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound
predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer
by writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
It was getting late. The children were growing
restless. 3. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a compound
sentence.
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Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound
predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer
by writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Most Americans want their children to attend
college. They will make great sacrifices to send
them. 4. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a compound
sentence.
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Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound
predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer
by writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
You must be completely satisfied. We will return
your money. 5. ________ _______ ________
Insert a comma only when you form a compound
sentence.
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Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound
predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer
by writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
My sister can play several instruments. Her
favorite is the violin. 6. ________ _______
________
Insert a comma only when you form a compound
sentence.
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Combine each pair of sentences, using a compound
predicate whenever possible. Indicate your answer
by writing the conjunction and the two words
surrounding it. Insert any necessary comma.
Shall I write a new theme? Shall I revise the old
one? 7. ________ _______ ________
Since these are questions, you also have to omit
the word shall.
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Sometimes we want the balanced effect of a
compound sentence even though a compound
predicate would express our meaning in fewer
words.

• Fashions come and fashions go.
• Fashions come and go.

Which sentence gives a more balanced effect?
8. (a, b)
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• He couldnt eat and couldnt sleep.
• He couldnt eat, and he couldnt sleep.

Which sentence is more effective because of the
repetition of the subject?
9. (a, b)
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10. Except where we wish to produce a special
effect, we should try to save words by using a
compound (sentence, predicate).
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You are done!!!