The Writing Center- Valle Verde
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is one sentence that is composed of two independent clauses, combined
through the use of a coordinating conjunction or semi-colon.
Example: I am very hungry, but I have to wait to eat.
"I am very hungry" and "I have to wait to eat" are examples of independent clauses because
they have a subject and predicate. Normally, these would each stand alone as a sentence.
However, a compound sentence is created, when a comma is used (,) before the coordinating
conjunction "but."
The following two sentences, "I thought a monster was under my bed" and "I hid under my
sheets", can be left as simple sentences, or they can be combined into one compound
sentence.
Example: I thought a monster was under my bed, and I hid under my sheets.
In this case, the coordinating conjunction "and" in use with a comma create the compound
sentence. Many different types of coordinating conjunctions can be used, depending on the
sentence's intent.
When deciding which coordinating conjunction to use, it is wise to consult the acronym,
FANBOYS.
• F, for. For is used primarily to show the effect from a cause.
• A, and. And introduces more information.
• N, nor. Nor is used to eliminate an alternative or to explain what the subject is not.
• B, but. But contrast, contradicts, or introduces an unexpected idea.
• O, or. Or offers an alternative or choice
• Y, yet. Yet is only used to contrast in a stronger way than But
• S, so. So can be used to explain a result, or used to introduce the effect.
Another way to combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence is through the
use of a semi-colon (;). Using the previous example, the sentence would look like this:
I thought a monster was under my bed; I hid under my sheets.
The Writing Center- Valle Verde
In this case, the semi-colon has replaced the use of a period to create a single sentence out of
the two independent clauses.
Lastly, there will be some occasions where an independent marker is necessary to complete the
sentence's idea.
Example: We went to the mall; however, we only went window-shopping.
In this example, the independent marker (however) is preceded by a semi-colon and followed
by a comma to combine the independent clauses. Other independent markers that can be used
include: therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, and also.
Some information courtesy of:
“Coordinating Conjunctions” jjay.cuny.edu. John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Web. 27 Mar. 2015
Hacker, Diana and Nancy Sommers. A Writer’s Reference. Boston: Bedford St. Martins, 2011. Print.
Johnston, Ted and Joe Old. English Beyond the Basics. El Paso: High Sun Publishing, 2014. Print.
The Purdue OWL Family of Sites. The Writing Lab and OWL at Purdue and Purdue U, 2008. Web. 20 Mar.
2015