Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or equal. The main coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

A compound sentence is punctuated with a comma before the coordinating conjunction that connects the two independent clauses.

Independent clauses: 'I wanted to go for a walk' and 'it started to rain.'

The comma is used to separate the independent clauses before the coordinating conjunction.

but

'She likes ice cream, and he likes cake.'

Using 'but' indicates a contrast between the two independent clauses.

Example: 'I wanted to go to the movies, but I had too much homework.'

A simple sentence contains one independent clause, while a compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses.