Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: We can go see a movie, or we can get something to eat.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
English grammar questions often ask you to distinguish between different sentence structures. A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, or yet. Each clause could stand alone as a complete sentence. In this question you must identify which option fits this definition of a compound sentence.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- A compound sentence requires at least two independent clauses.
- An independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
- The options provide different sentence patterns, some of which may be simple or complex instead of compound.
Concept / Approach:
To identify a compound sentence, test whether each part on either side of the conjunction can stand alone as a complete sentence. If both halves are independent, the sentence is compound. If one half is dependent, introduced by a subordinating word such as when, because, although, or if, then the whole structure is complex rather than compound. A simple sentence may have compound verbs but only one subject and one independent clause.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option a: "We can go see a movie, or we can get something to eat." Clause one is "We can go see a movie." Clause two is "we can get something to eat." Both have a subject and a complete predicate and can stand alone.
Step 2: Because both clauses in option a are independent and are joined by the coordinating conjunction or, option a is a classic example of a compound sentence.
Step 3: Look at option b: "When you get there, please remember to call me." The first part "When you get there" is not a complete thought; it depends on the second part to make sense.
Step 4: Option b therefore has one dependent clause joined to an independent clause and is a complex sentence, not compound.
Step 5: Check option c: "Mohan bought some new shoes and wore them to a party." Here there is one subject Mohan and two verbs "bought" and "wore". This is a simple sentence with a compound predicate, not a compound sentence with two separate clauses.
Step 6: Since option a alone satisfies the definition of a compound sentence, there is no need to choose "None of the above".
Step 7: Conclude that option a is the correctly formed compound sentence among the choices.
Verification / Alternative check:
As a quick test, put a full stop in place of the comma and conjunction in each option. For option a, you obtain two correct sentences: "We can go see a movie." and "We can get something to eat." For option b, "When you get there." is incomplete, and for option c, "Mohan bought some new shoes." and "wore them to a party." do not both stand correctly because the second fragment lacks an explicit subject. This test confirms that only option a consists of two full independent clauses.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b: Contains a dependent clause introduced by when, making it complex rather than compound.
Option c: Has only one subject with two verbs, which is a simple sentence with a compound verb phrase.
Option d: Incorrect because option a is already a correct compound sentence.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes treat any sentence with the word and as compound, even when there is only one subject or when one part is not a full clause. Another pitfall is ignoring subordinating conjunctions like when and because, which signal complex sentences. Remember to check both halves of the sentence: can each one stand alone and make complete sense? If yes and they are joined by a coordinating conjunction, you have a compound sentence.
Final Answer:
The correctly formed compound sentence is "We can go see a movie, or we can get something to eat."
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