Compound Sentence

A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses that

have related ideas. The independent clauses can be joined by
a coordinating conjunction (there are seven–for, and, nor, but, or, yet,
so) or a semicolon.

Examples
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; the roads were impassable.
• Check back tomorrow; I will see if the book has arrived.
• He said he was not there yesterday; 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; I plan to spend two weeks there next year.
• He turned in the research paper on Friday; he would have not passed
the class otherwise.

Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent
clause. An example of a complex sentence is this: “I burned dinner but
not the cake.”

Examples
If you want to speak to me, then learn English.

Metal robots are cool and look tough.

I want to blow some money, but not mine.

I own a beautifully restored antique boat and a jet ski too.

Weeds are easy to grow, and hard to kill.

Playing hard is all fun and games until someone loses an eye.

My dad is a strict disciplinarian, but mom isn’t!

If you mess with the bull, you get the horns.

After I got home, I cooked and cleaned the house.

I ate leftover roast beef, but the kids didn’t.

I hide ice cream at my house because I can.

My toddler won’t eat her potatoes, but I will.

Bethany dumped her soda in the car, but didn’t clean it up.

I went to the store before sunset.

Studying before the test is good, if you want to pass.

Her hair color is fake, and it shows.

Often times, complex sentences begin with the word “because.” For
example:

Because I twisted the heel on my shoe, it broke.

Because she lied on her application, she’s out.

Because her sister likes chocolate, she doesn’t.

Because Murphy’s Law always prevails, you won’t.

Crashing was a terrible idea, but it was all she had at the moment.

Winning the lottery is a fun fantasy, but a bad retirement plan.

Hard work pays off, for some.

For others, theft works.

 Learn how to float, and not drown.

Complex Sentences from Everyday Life

• Because my coffee was too cold I heated it in the microwave.
• Though he was very rich, he was still unhappy.
• She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.
• When the cost goes up, customers buy less clothing.
• Because I had to catch the train, and since we were short on time, I
forgot to pack my toothbrush for our vacation.
• As she was bright and ambitious she became a manager in no time.
• Wherever you go, you can always find beauty.
• Evergreen trees are a symbol of fertility because they do not die in the
winter.
• Although very long, the movie was still enjoyable.
• You should check the mileage on your car since you've been driving it so
much, and because it's starting to make weird noises.
• The actor was happy he got a part in a movie, although the part was
small.
• After the tornado hit there was very little left standing.
• The museum was very interesting, as I expected.
• Because he's rich people make allowance for his idiosyncrasies.
• Even though he's thoroughly trained he still makes a lot of mistakes.
• Since winter is coming I think I'll knit a warm sweater, because I'm
always cold.
• When she was younger she believed in fairy tales.
• I have to save this coupon since I don’t have time to shop right now.
• Let’s go back to Chez Nous because it's where we had our first date.
• Although my cousin invited me, I chose not to go to the reunion.
• As genes change over time, evolution progresses.
• I really didn’t like the movie, even though the acting was good.
• When he got a cream pie smashed in his face, everyone laughed.
• Money can’t buy happiness, or so people tell me.
• After twenty years, he still had feelings for her.