Compound 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 or a semicolon.

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What are independent clauses?

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Independent clauses are groups of words that can stand alone as complete sentences because they express a complete thought.

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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 most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FANBOYS).

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How do you join two independent clauses with a semicolon?

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You place a semicolon between the two independent clauses without a conjunction. For example: 'I love playing volleyball; I improve every week.'

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What is the role of a comma in a compound sentence?

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A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses. For example: 'I love playing volleyball, and I improve every week.'

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What is the difference between a compound sentence and a complex sentence?

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A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, while a complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

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What is an example of a compound sentence?

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'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.' This sentence has two independent clauses joined by the conjunction 'but'.

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What punctuation is used to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

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A semicolon or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction is used to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

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What is the function of the coordinating conjunction 'for'?

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The coordinating conjunction 'for' is used to explain the reason for the preceding clause. For example: 'I stayed home, for it was raining outside.'

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Which coordinating conjunction would you use to show contrast?

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The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to show contrast between two independent clauses.