Compound Sentences – Examples & Structure

Making or forming sentences is the basic and most important part of English grammar. If we cannot form sentences, there is no other way of giving meaning to the words we use in our daily lives.

We learned to form sentences in our very first grade. Then we must have only learned to add two or more words and express them together. However, it is time to realize that there are different types of sentences.

Today, we will focus on compound sentences. Remember the sentence we first formed in our primary classes? Well, those are called simple sentences. But when we add two or more simple sentences together, we have a compound sentence. Let us discuss this in detail and understand better with some basic examples.

What are compound sentences?

Compound sentences are sentences that have two or more independent clauses joined together. It is similar to a simple sentence, but just that in a compound sentence, there are more than one independent clauses.

So in simple words, we can say that a compound sentence is a sentence formed by joining two or more simple sentences by using coordinating conjunctions. There are no dependent clauses present in a compound sentence.

An Independent clause can stand alone, while a dependent clause cannot.

Let us look at some examples of compound sentences;

  • I like to write, and she likes to read.
  • Mary had homework to do, but Max wanted to play.
  • Will Sally come, or will Sima go?
  • I love pizza, but he hates pizza.

Forming compound sentences

Compound sentences are formed by joining two simple sentences with the help of coordinating conjunctions. Such as;

And: It is used when the two clauses are of equal value or when the second clause is the outcome of the first.

  • Pizza is mostly red, and burgers are brown.
  • I heard a thud, and the door closed.

But: It is used when the first clause is in contrast to the second.

  • He wrote fast but couldn’t complete the paper.

Or: It is used when two alternative clauses are united.

  • Do you want to come, or are you planning to leave?
  • She will come, or will you leave?

So: It is usually used when we convey that the first clause is the reason for the second.

  • He fell down, so he was bleeding.

For: It is used when the second clause is the reason for the first.

  • He went inside, for it was raining.

These are some of the conjunctions. There can be more such as nor, yet, etc.

However, compound sentences are also formed by using the following elements;

Semicolons:

  • I want to sleep; the class is very boring.
  • I like tea; it keeps me awake.

Dash:

  • You went outI can smell dirt.
  • I know you got hurt I can see the blood.

So we see compound sentences are nothing but two simple sentences together. That is two independent clauses, and no dependent clauses are present. And they can be formed by using various coordinating elements.

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