Compound sentences are those which include two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semi colon. Read further to know more about compound sentences and relevant examples.

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Examples Of Compound Sentences

The first look at compound sentences makes you feel like they are two independent sentences joined by conjunctions. That is exactly what a compound sentence is; two independent clauses or simple sentences interlinked by a coordinator to provide continuity and completion of thought, as in the example, ‘They came here to find their house burgled’. To put it simply, a compound sentence is a type of sentence which includes two simple sentences or two independent clauses joined, either by coordinating conjunctions, such as, for, or, yet, and, nor, but and so, or semi colons along with transitional expressions and conjunctive adverbs, or even by semi colons alone. You also find that these two interlinked sentences can stand alone without the coordinators. However, these compound sentences must be joined correctly with a comma, followed by the coordinator; any incorrect usage will be a grammatical error. Read on to know more about compound sentences and its examples.
 
Compound Sentence Examples
 
Compound sentences contain two independent clauses or two simple sentences, such as:
  • Joe waited for the train.
  • The train was late.
By combining these two simple sentences or independent clauses, you can form a compound sentence as in,
  • Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
However, the sentences that are joined must be related as in these examples,
  • Alejandro played football, so Maria went shopping.
  • Alejandro played football, for Maria went shopping.
  • I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station, but they arrived at the station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived.
  • I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak English.
  • Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.
  • Do you want to stay here, or would you like to go shopping with me?
  • My friend invited me to a tea party, but my parents didn't let me go.
  • I have a lot of work to finish, so I will be up all night.
  • Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.
A compound sentence is formed by using coordinating conjunctions, such as for, or, yet, and, nor, but, so etc. A comma precedes the coordinators unless the sentences are very short. The way the relationship between the clauses is changed by the use of coordinators is explicit from the examples,
  • I like chocolate ice cream, but my friend likes strawberry.
  • They wanted to go to Italy, because they wanted to see Venice.
  • My husband was working, so I went shopping.
  • I am on a diet yet I really want a cookie.
  • The boys walked down the road and their parents waved from the house.
  • The dog came rushing in so the cat ran upstairs.
  • My friend gave me a lift because it was raining.
  • He did not take the money, for it was not the right thing to do.
A compound sentence is also formed by placing a semicolon either along with or not along conjunctive adverbs such as also, besides, therefore, etc. Examples of such compound sentences are:
  • You need to pack all the things you will need; for example, a sleeping bag will keep you warm.
  • I have paid all of the dues; as a result, I expect to receive all the privileges listed in the bylaws.
  • I will be glad to help you; besides, I love to cook.
  • The moon is full; the stars are out.
  • Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
  • The job was not done; on the other hand, they needed to rest and eat. 
Famous Examples Of Compound Sentences
  • "Trust, but verify." (Ronald Reagan)
  • "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."(George H. W. Bush)
  • "You can put wings on a pig, but you don't make it an eagle." (Bill Clinton)
  • "I used to be snow white, but I drifted." (Mae West)
  • "A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on." (John F. Kennedy)
  • "Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time." (Gerald R. Ford)
  • "I have often wanted to drown my troubles, but I can't get my wife to go swimming." (Jimmy Carter).
  • "Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one." (Lyndon B. Johnson)
  • "I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighbourhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land." (Jon Stewart)
Compound sentence are testimonies to the vastness of English language. Explore them to take your mastery of the language a step further. 

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