Definition

A compound sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses joined by a comma, semicolon or conjunction. An independent clause is a clause that has a subject and verb and forms a complete thought.

An example of a compound sentence is, 'This house is too expensive, and that house is too small.' This sentence is a compound sentence because it has two independent clauses, 'This house is too expensive' and 'that house is too small' separated by a comma and the conjunction 'and.'

Compound Sentences and Meaning

When independent clauses are joined with coordinators (also called coordinating conjunctions) commas and semicolons, they do more than just join the clauses. They add meaning and flow to your writing. First let's look at the coordinators you can use to join independent clauses. They are:

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

Examples of compound sentences include the following:

1. Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
    
2. I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station, but they arrived at the station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived.
    
3. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.
    
4. Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.

A compound sentence is made by joining two independent clauses together with a conjunction.

Some examples:

• John bought some new shoes, and he wore them to a party.
• Lydia liked her new house, but she didn't like the front yard.
• We can go see a movie, or we can get something to eat.

Notice that in each example, there is a subject and a verb in each independent clause. These sentences can be changed by removing the subject:

• John bought some new shoes and wore them to a party.
• Lydia liked her new house but not the front yard.
• We can go see a movie or get something to eat.

These are still good sentences, but by removing the subject from one part of them, they are no longer compound sentences.

Compound sentences are often formed with these coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, yet, so, and ; (the semi-colon). 

A compound sentence has two independent clauses or sentences. The independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "for" and "but") or a semicolon.

Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions

• She did not cheat on the test, for it was not the right thing to do.
• I think I will buy the red car, or I will lease the blue one.
• I really want to go to work, but I am too sick to drive.
• I am counting my calories, yet I really want dessert.
• He ran out of money, so he had to stop playing poker.
• They got there early, and they got really good seats.
• There was no ice cream in the freezer, nor did they have money to go to the store.
• Everyone was busy, so I went to the movie alone.
• I would have gotten the promotion, but my attendance wasn’t good enough.
• Should we start class now, or should we wait for everyone to get here?
• It was getting dark, and we weren’t there yet.
• Cats are good pets, for they are clean and are not noisy.
• We have never been to Asia, nor have we visited Africa.
• He didn’t want to go to the dentist, yet he went anyway.

Compound Sentences with a Semicolon

• Joe made the sugar cookies; Susan decorated them.
• The sky is clear; the stars are twinkling.
• The waves were crashing on the shore; it was a lovely sight.
• There were white out conditions in the town; subsequently, the roads were impassable.
• Check back tomorrow; I will see if the book has arrived.
• He said he was not there yesterday; however, many people saw him there.
• I am happy to take your donation; any amount will be greatly appreciated.
• She only paints with bold colors; she does not like pastels.
• She works two jobs to make ends meet; at least, that was her reason for not having time to join us.
• Malls are great places to shop; I can find everything I need under one roof.
• Italy is my favorite country; in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there next year.
• He turned in the research paper on Friday; otherwise, he would have not passed the class.

Compound sentences can make writing rich and colorful. While beginning writers generally learn to first write simple sentences, compound sentences provide more detail and make paragraphs more interesting and engaging. When forming compound sentences, it is important to understand the components of a compound sentence.

Compound Sentences in Quotes

Here are examples of compound sentences used by well-known people:

• "Always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't go to yours." - Yogi Berra
• "Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one." - Lyndon B. Johnson
• "The drought had lasted now for ten million years, and the reign of the terrible lizards had long since ended." - Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey
• "Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them." - Ronald Reagan
• "I have often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can't get my wife to go swimming." - Jimmy Carter