Compound Sentence Basics: Explanation and Examples

Learn everything you need to know to master compound sentences in English. 

If you’re ready to learn about compound sentences, this guide is jam packed with explanations, handy tips, style and grammar rules, exercises and examples of English compound sentences.

In order to communicate clearly and naturally in English, it’s essential to understand the different kinds of sentences. These include

• Simple sentences

• Compound sentences

• Complex sentences

• Compound-complex sentences

Each type of sentence is made up of a different combination of independent and dependent clauses. (Not sure what independent and dependent clauses are? Review this article on basic English sentence structure.)

In this guide, you’ll learn all about compound sentences. We’ll cover a basic definition and explanation of the compound sentence, grammar and style rules for putting them to use in your speaking and writing, compound sentence examples to help you get a better feel for them, and exercises to make sure you’ve got this sentence structure under control.

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The basics of English compound sentences

Let’s start with what makes a compound sentence a compound sentence. 

Simple sentences are the most basic kind of English sentence. They consist of a single independent clause. 

For example, this is a simple sentence:
“I eat a sandwich.”

Compound sentences, which we’ll be focusing on here, are made of two or more independent clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction.

For example, this is a compound sentence:
“I eat a sandwich, and he orders soup.”

To contrast, complex sentences have one independent clause and one dependent clause, and compound-complex sentences combine a compound sentence and a complex sentence, meaning they have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

For example, this is a complex sentence:
“Even though I recommended the sandwich, he ordered the soup.”

And this is a compound-complex sentence:
“I ate the sandwich, and I recommended that he get one too, but he still ordered the soup.”

What are English compound sentences?

Compound sentence definition

A compound sentence is formed by joining two or more independent clauses with appropriate punctuation and a coordinating conjunction, like “and,” “but,” or “for.” 

Compound sentence examples

• I made hot chocolate, and he read his book.

• You ordered a drink, but I ordered dinner.

• She went to the store, for they needed milk.

How do you form a compound sentence?

First, you need two complete thoughts (independent clauses).
For example: I like the duck sweater. I need a belt.

Next, you need a coordinating conjunction. There are seven coordinating conjunctions:

• For

• And

• Nor

• But

• Or

• Yet

• So

Put the coordinating conjunction between the two clauses, add a comma before the coordinating conjunction, and you have a compound sentence.

I like the duck sweater, and I need a belt.

Why use compound sentences?

Compound sentences bring together two complete thoughts. By bringing them together, we suggest a relationship between the two thoughts. 

I made hot chocolate, and he read his book.

Even though “and” is perhaps the least informative of the coordinating conjunctions, it suggests that these two activities happened at the same time. It gives us a picture of a moment in two peoples’ lives. 

Choosing a conjunction

Each coordinating conjunction expresses a different relationship between the sentences you’re combining. Let’s take a look at how different conjunctions can change the meaning of a compound sentence.

1. “I like the duck sweater, and I need a new belt.”

In this sentence, it’s likely the speaker is shopping – maybe speaking to a friend or sales assistant.

2. “I like the duck sweater, but I need a belt.”

Perhaps the speaker can only afford either the sweater or the belt.

3. “I like the duck sweater, so I need a belt.”

The speaker feels that the sweater won’t work without a belt. Maybe it’s a short sweater and a belt will keep the speaker’s pants up and looking sharp.

As you can see, these little words can shift the whole meaning of the sentence.

Pro Tip: Note that the seven coordinating conjunctions spell “FANBOYS.” Use this as a mnemonic to help you remember the conjunctions you can use to form a compound sentence!

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Compound sentence rules & style tips

Punctuation

Now that we know how and why to use compound sentences, let’s look a little closer at punctuation.

Note that in writing, we typically put a comma before the coordinating conjunction. But that’s not your only option!

You can also use a semicolon or dash as a style choice. 

Semicolons have a bit of a sophisticated feel. When you use a semicolon, you skip the coordinating conjunction. A semicolon acts as the joiner between the sentences. Obviously, this won’t work in spoken English, since you can’t hear the difference in punctuation, but it can be useful if you’re writing an article, book or scientific work. 

“I made hot chocolate; he read his book.”

Dashes can be used for emphasis or to create a more conversational feel. They’re used to indicate shifts in thought or interruption. With a dash, the coordinating conjunction is not typically used, but you can add one as a style choice.

“I went to the store – they were out of eggs.”

“I went to the store – but they were out of eggs.”

Rules to remember

Now that you’ve learned the basics of compound sentences, here are a few rules of thumb to remember:

• A compound sentence must be made of two or more independent clauses.

• A compound sentence should be joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction, unless you’re using a semicolon or dash. 

• If using a comma and conjunction, the comma comes before the coordinating conjunction.

• Remember FANBOYS to help you choose the right conjunction.

• And one new rule – watch out for run-on sentences! Keep the number of clauses in a single sentence to a minimum and check your writing for length and clarity.

When it comes to putting different sentence structures into use, there’s room for creativity. To write clearly and with style in English, think about varying your sentence length. Make sure you express complete thoughts, and don't overcomplicate things. Shorter, clearer sentences can help you be understood!

Compound sentences examples & exercises

Keeping in mind those compound sentence rules, let’s practice!

Examples

To start, here are a bunch more examples of English compound sentences. Use them to get a feel for compound sentences and how you can use them to express specific ideas.

You saw a bird, and I saw a raccoon.
They went to brunch, and I stayed home.

He likes jazz, but he doesn’t like jazz bars.
You like pretzels, but I love hot dogs.

We can go to Paris together, or I can go to Paris alone.
They might call us, or we might call them.

It was rainy, yet it was warm.
I wore a sweater, yet I felt naked.

He went to church, so I took the train alone.
They don’t eat fish, so I bought chicken.

I like these socks; I hate this cabin.
You will drink wine; she will eat cheese.

This is a nice house – the kitchen is perfect.
I like your garden – but I’m allergic to grass.

The next two examples use the conjunction “nor.” Note that the grammar is a little bit different after the word “nor.”

She didn’t like my hat, nor did she like my scarf.
They won’t plant roses, nor will they plant daffodils.

The two examples below use the conjunction “for.” Note that “for” is rarely used as it sounds very formal. Nobody ever talks this way, but sometimes you’ll see it in older writing.

I got him a card, for it was his birthday.
She bought some cheese, for cheese made her happy.

Exercises

Now that you’ve seen several compound sentence examples, it’s time to build your own!

There are a bunch of simple sentences below. For each sentence, add a conjunction and a clause that makes sense. Then try again with a different conjunction. For example, the first sentence is “I’m allergic to dogs.” Here are two possible compound sentences you might write:

• “I’m allergic to dogs, and I don’t like cats.”

• “I’m allergic to dogs, but I have three pet dogs.”

Now it’s your turn – turn the sentences below into compound sentences!

• I’m allergic to dogs.

• I found some chocolate.

• I ate snails.

• You went to the bank.

• You bought a new car.

• You weren’t home for dinner.

• He went to Brussels.

• He likes rabbits.

• She’s afraid of snakes.

• She only drinks with dinner.

• She bought a blue hat.

• You both look nice.

• You all seem tired.

• You guys were late.

• We excel at lawn maintenance.

• We’re going to Spain.

• We lost our tickets.

• They don’t like that.

• They’ll eat anything.

• They’re bad at gardening.

For an extra challenge, you can also try combining two of these sentences together. Feel free to mix and match or come up with your own ideas to pair with these starters!

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