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What is a Compound Sentence?

What is a Compound Sentence?

A compound sentence is a sentence with at least two independent clauses.

Compound Sentence
independent clause
I drink green tea, but they drink coffee.

but is the joining method
Both clauses could stand alone as a sentence
A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses.

An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence.

Examples of Compound Sentences

Below are examples of compound sentences. In each example, the independent clauses are italicised.

  • Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. (Albert Einstein, 1879-1955)
  • There used to be a real me, but I had it surgically removed. (Peter Sellers, 1925-1980)
  • Go, and never darken my towels again. (Groucho Marx, 1890-1977)
  • (Note: Go is the shortest sentence in English.)
  • Any fool can criticise, condemn, and complain – and most fools do. (Dale Carnegie)

Joining the Independent Clauses in a Compound Sentence

In a compound sentence, the independent clauses are joined using one of the following methods:

  • A conjunction with a comma (e.g. “and”)
    • I like tea, and he likes coffee.

Read more about conjunctions.

  • A semicolon
    • I like hot chocolate; it sends me to sleep.

Read more about using semicolons.

  • A colon
    • I know one thing: I love that girl.

(This is rare because the words after a colon are not often an independent clause.)

Read more about using colons.

  • A dash
    • I know you’re hereI can smell your perfume.

Read more about using dashes.

  • A conjunction with a semicolon (e.g., “; and”)
    • After the lights went out, I could hear you whispering; and I know you were talking about me.

(This is rare because it’s an outdated style.)

Read more about using semicolons before conjunctions.

The Four Types of Sentence Structure

A compound sentence is one of four main sentence structures, all of which are shown below. In these examples, the independent clauses are shaded.

A Complex Sentence. A complex sentence has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. For example:

  • Diplomacy is the art of saying “nice doggie” until you can find a rock. (Will Rogers, 1879-1935)

A Compound Sentence. A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses. For example:

  • Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. (Joseph Heller, 1923-1999) (Jane Wagner)

(This example has three independent clauses.)

A Simple Sentence. A simple sentence has just one independent clause. For example:

  • A country can be judged by the quality of its proverbs. (German Proverb)

A Compound-Complex Sentence. A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. For example:

  • I stopped believing in Santa Claus when he asked for my autograph in a department store, but I still want to believe in him.

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AGH / Jan 2020