Compound Sentences

Compound Sentences – Introduction

Compound Sentences make your paragraphs more engaging. In the beginning stages, the writers learn simple sentences first and then they feel that the compound sentences make their paragraphs more engaging. Compound sentences require proper punctuation in its components. We utilize this type of sentence to express more details in small lines.

Definition of Compound Sentences

When two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon, that sentence is known as Compound Sentence. Hence, joining of simple sentences is known as compound sentence.

An independent clause consists of three things:

• A Subject: Something or someone about whom or which the sentence is describing.

• An action: a verb or an action being done.

• A thought: a complete independent thought.

A coordinator is used to link these independent clauses. It includes.

• And

• Or

• But

• Nor

• For

• So

• Yet

• However

• Semicolon

• Colon

• Dash

Uses

These sentences can be used to create complex communications. You can add more and more details in a less informative simple sentence. It is used to make simple sentences more persuasive. But don’t make it more complex, you should keep it simple because it can cause more confusion also. Keep it simple, informative, and engaging.

Examples of Compound Sentences

• I like to study books, yet I do not like to go to school.

• I like tea, but Sheena likes coffee.

• She wants to go; however, she has a lot of work.

• I know one thing: I need that book.

• I know you are here-I can smell your perfume.

• I will have a week in Vienna or will go to Greece for 4 days.

• There are no eggs in the kitchen, nor is there any bread.

• He was injured badly, yet he refused to go to a Doctor’s clinic.

• You can pay online; we accept all major credit and debit cards.

Joining with Conjunctions

Compound sentences can be joined with conjunctions like so, or, but, and, yet, nor, etc.

For example, I like tea, but she likes coffee.

I like tea: It is a simple sentence with a subject as I.

She likes coffee: It is again a simple sentence or thought.

Both the simple independent clause is joined with a coordinator as conjunctions.

Joining with Semicolons

Compound sentences can be joined with semicolons.

For example, you can pay online; we accept all major credit and debit cards.

You can pay online: This is a simple independent sentence with the subject as She.

We accept all major credit and debit cards: This is also a simple independent sentence.

Both sentences are joined with a semicolon as coordinator.

Joining with Conjunctive Adverbs

Compound sentences can be joined with Conjunctive Adverbs.

For example, She wants to go; however, she has a lot of work.

She wants to go: This is a simple independent sentence with the subject as She.

She has a lot of work: This is also a simple independent sentence.

Both sentences are joined with the conjunctive adverb. Such words require a semicolon before its use.

Joining with Other Methods

There are other methods also to join Compound Sentences like dash, colon, commas, etc.

Here are some examples of such cases.

• I know one thing: I need that book.

• I know you are here-I can smell your perfume.

Both the sentences are simple independent Sentences. One is joined with a colon and another with a dash between them.