Compound and Complex Sentences

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What is a compound sentence?

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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).

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What is a complex sentence?

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A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which cannot stand alone.

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What is a coordinating conjunction?

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A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

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How do you punctuate a compound sentence?

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In a compound sentence, a comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction that joins the two independent clauses.

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How do you punctuate a complex sentence?

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In a complex sentence, if the dependent clause comes first, it is followed by a comma before the independent clause. If the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed.

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What is the purpose of using compound sentences?

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Compound sentences are used to connect related ideas and show the relationship between them.

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What is the purpose of using complex sentences?

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Complex sentences are used to show the relationship between ideas, particularly when one idea depends on another.

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Provide an example of a compound sentence.

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Example: I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.