COMPOUND

SENTENCE
 To understand a compound sentence, we must understand two
important clauses:

• A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and

a verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence.
• An independent clause is a group of words made up of a subject and
a predicate, and it can stand alone as a sentence.
 COMPOUND SENTENCE

Now that we understand those two concepts, we can fully understand

what a compound sentence is:
• A compound sentence is composed of at least two independent
clauses. It does not require a dependent clause.
• A compound sentence is a sentence that has at least two
independent clauses joined by a comma, semicolon or conjunction.
The clauses in a compound sentence are independent, meaning they are complete
sentences on their own, but they have ideas that are closely related.
 SIMPLE AND COMPOUND SENTENCES

Subject + verb Two or more simple sentences

(+ complement) joined by a coordinator and punctuation

Simple sentence Compound sentence

She smiled. She smiled, and she laughs.

HOW TO MAKE A COMPOUND SENTENCE

I am very talented, yet I don’t make use of my

talent
Independen Coordinat Independent
t clause e clause
conjunctio
n
HOW CLAUSES ARE JOINED

To make a compound sentence, two clauses are joined

by:
• a coordinating conjunction. 
• a semicolon that functions as a conjunction.
• a conjunctive adverb preceded by a semicolon.
 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.
• Those coordinators are: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So

( FANBOYS)
 EXAMPLES OF USING COORDINATING
CONJUNCTION
• I want the red car but I will buy the blue one
• He doesn’t like to get his teeth cleaned, but he knows that it’s
necessary.
• Alex likes to fish, and he is going fishing on Friday
• We can go see a movie, or we can get something to eat.
• It was very hot outside, and the ice cream melted. 
• She is going to the movies, or she is going to the mall.
• I fell out of the bed, so Mom came to check on me
 EXAMPLES OF CREATING A COMPOUND
SENTENCE WITH A SEMI-COLON.
• She loves me; she loves me not.
• They say it’s your birthday; it’s my birthday too!
• The entire town was flooded; people used boats
• I only write non-fiction; I’ve never tried fiction.
• You can pay online; we accept all major credit cards.
• The sky is clear; the stars are twinkling.
 Conjunctive
Adverb
Cause or Accordingly Therefore Then
effect
COMPOUND
SENTENCES WITH Sequence First Furthermore Moreover
CONJUNCTIVE Time Before Meanwhile Lately
ADVERBS
Contrast Rather However Instead

A conjunctive adverb is an Emphasis Indeed Certainly Undoubtedly

adverb or adverbial phrase Summarize Briefly Merely In conclusion
that indicates a relation in
Illustrate For instance Namely For example
meaning between two
sequential independent Comparison Like/As Likewise Similarly
clauses 
EXAMPLES OF USING CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB

• “Frantic” is my favourite film; however, I’ve only seen it once.

• He turned himself in to the police; otherwise, they would have arrested
him.
• He’s got a really good job; at least, that’s what he says.
• Both gold and green kiwifruits are widely cultivated in New
Zealand; furthermore, they’re distributed to our country.
 PRACTICE I
WITH COORDINATING CONJUNCTION
1. Jack was wet, _____ he changed his clothes.
2. I am eating steak, _____ I really wanted lamb.
3. Deon is smart, _____ Deon is lucky.
4. She would have fallen, _____ for Sally’s help.
5. She was not wrong, _____ was she entirely right.
6. The road was long, _____ we could not see the end.
7. He was happy, _____ he just passed the exam.
 PRACTICE II
WITH CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB
1. I was up all night; __________ I fell asleep at my desk.
2. He was rich and famous. Happiness; __________, isn’t something he felt often.
3. Tia was my classmate at school; __________, she was my neighbour.
4. The client is coming in one hour; __________, let’s prepare our meeting room.
5. Slice onion, garlic, and chili; __________, stir-fry them on a non-stick pan.

(therefore, however, then, also, meanwhile)

 EXAMPLES OF HOW COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
AND SEMICOLON HAVE THE SAME MEANING:

•'I think you'd enjoy the party, but I don't mind if you stay at home.’ 
•‘I think you’d enjoy the party; I don’t mind if you stay at home.’
•It was raining heavily; however he still went to they gym.
•It was raining heavily; he still went to the gym.

These two examples have the same meaning between each other. In this sentence, the
coordinator 'but' shows a clear relationship between the two independent clauses. The speaker is
making a suggestion that the person being addressed isn't expected to follow it. A semicolon (;)
can also be used to contrast two independent clauses.